AUTOSTICK Feature

Autostick is a driver-interactive transaxle feature that offers manual gear shifting capability. When gearshift lever is moved into autostick position, transaxle remains in whatever gear it was using before autostick was activated. Moving gearshift lever to the left (toward driver) causes a downshift. Moving gearshift lever to the right (toward passenger) causes an upshift. Instrument cluster will illuminate selected gear. Vehicle can be launched in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear while in autostick. Speed control will be deactivated if transaxle is shifted into 2nd gear. Shifting into OD position cancels autostick, and transaxle resumes the OD shift schedule.

1. Models With Autostick
   
   With gearshift lever in "OD" position, transmission shift schedule is same as non-autostick vehicle. When gearshift lever is moved into "A/S" (autostick) position, transaxle remains in same gear until gearshift lever is moved to left (downshift) or right (upshift). Vehicle can be driven from a complete stop in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear. Shifting into "OD" position cancels autostick mode and transaxle resumes OD shift schedule. For safety, durability and driveability, some shifts are executed automatically or prevented. See AUTOSTICK OVERRIDE SHIFT SCHEDULE  table.
2. Models Without Autostick
   
   When gearshift lever is in "OD" (overdrive) position, transaxle will shift through all 4 speeds with torque converter lock-up in Overdrive. When gearshift lever is in "3" position, transaxle uses only 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears with 2nd-to-3rd gear shift delayed until vehicle speed is at least 40 MPH. When operating with gearshift lever in "3" position, torque converter lock-up occurs in 3rd gear for improved transaxle cooling. If engine coolant temperature becomes excessively warm, torque converter lock-up will occur in 2nd gear. When gearshift lever is in "L" position, engine braking is provided for descending grades.

Fig 1: Identifying Transaxle Component Locations

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.