Ford Kuga
Owners Manual
Transmission
Automatic Transmission

WARNING

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure you shift the gearshift lever to park (P). Switch the ignition off and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

Selector Lever Positions

Selector Lever Positions

P Park

R Reverse

N Neutral

D Drive

S Sport mode and manual shifting

+ Manual shift up

- Manual shift down

WARNING

Apply the brakes before shifting the gearshift lever to a forward or reverse gear. Keep the brakes applied until you are ready to move off.

Press the button on the front of the gearshift lever to shift to each position.

The gearshift lever position will be shown in the instrument cluster display.

Park (P)

WARNINGS

Shift the gearshift lever to park (P) only when your vehicle is stationary.
Apply the parking brake and shift the gearshift lever to park (P) before leaving your vehicle. Make sure that the gearshift lever is latched in position.

In this position, power is not transmitted to the driven wheels and the transmission is locked. You can start the engine with the gearshift lever in this position.

Note: A warning tone sounds if you open the driver door and you have not shifted the gearshift lever to park (P).

Reverse (R)

WARNINGS

Shift the gearshift lever to reverse (R) only when your vehicle is stationary and the engine is at idle speed.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting the gearshift lever out of reverse (R).

Shift the gearshift lever to reverse (R) to allow your vehicle to move backward.

Neutral (N)

In this position, power is not transmitted to the driven wheels but the transmission is not locked. You can start the engine with the gearshift lever in this position.

Drive (D)

Shift the gearshift lever to drive (D) to allow your vehicle to move forward and shift automatically through the forward gears.

The transmission will shift to the appropriate gear for optimum performance based on ambient temperature, road gradient, vehicle load and your input.

Drive (D) mode also provides a kickdown function. See Kickdown.

Note: A shift will occur only when your vehicle speed and the engine speed are appropriate.

Note: You may temporarily override the current gear selected using the + or - buttons.

Sport Mode and Manual Shifting

Sport Mode (S)

Switch on sport mode by shifting the gearshift lever to Sport (S). Sport mode will remain on until either you shift manually up or down the gears using the + or - buttons or shift the gearshift lever to drive (D).

Note: In sport mode the transmission operates as normal but gears are selected more quickly and at higher engine speeds.

Manual Shifting

WARNING

Do not hold the + or - buttons permanently in.

Press the - button to shift down and press the + button to shift up.

Gears may be skipped by pressing the buttons repeatedly at short intervals.

Manual mode also provides a kickdown function. See Kickdown.

Note: The transmission will automatically downshift when the engine speed is too low.

Hints on Driving with an Automatic Transmission

WARNING

Do not idle the engine for long periods of time in drive (D) with the brakes applied.

Moving Off

1. Press the brake pedal.

2. Shift the gearshift lever to drive (D), reverse (R) or sport (S).

3. Release the parking brake.

4. Release the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal.

Stopping

1. Release the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal.

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Shift the gearshift lever to neutral (N) or park (P).

Kickdown

Press the accelerator pedal fully with the gearshift lever in the drive (D) position to shift to the next lowest gear for optimum performance. Release the accelerator pedal when you no longer require kickdown.

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.

Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating temperature or damage to the transmission may occur. Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.

Emergency Park Position Release Lever

WARNINGS

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brake lamps are working.
This procedure requires you to shift the gearshift lever out of park (P) causing your vehicle to roll. Make sure you fully set the parking brake before attempting to release the gearshift lever.
If you release the parking brake and the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working correctly. The system has detected a fault that requires service.

In the event of an electrical malfunction or if the vehicle battery has no charge, use the following procedure to shift the gearshift lever from the park (P) position.

1. Apply the parking brake and switch the ignition off.

Emergency Park Position Release Lever