All my SST 1st gear questions were answered on page 158 & 159 in the owners manual. At any time in SST mode, when the throtle is past 60% in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th gear, 1st gear is available as long as you do not come to a complete stop. It would be nice to start from 1st gear but I can not start from a complete stop in 1st gear.
+ and - position operation
These positions allow the driver to
manually select the appropriate
upshift (+) or downshift (-) and
gear range.
² Can only be entered from the D5
(Overdrive) shift position.
² Gear ranges 1–5 provide the same
function and ratio as found in the
D5 or D4 automatic mode positions.
² The transmission will not upshift or
downshift unless the gearshift lever
is moved forward or rearward.
² One tap forward (+) will
command the transmission to upshift one gear range.
² One tap rearward (-) will command the transmission to downshift one
gear range.
² Upshifts are allowed at any vehicle speed.
² 2 (Second) gear is normally used for start-up. A 3 (Third) gear
start-up will be allowed only if selected. All other selection(s) will
revert to 2 (Second) gear.
² If the driver starts in 2 (Second) gear and does not pass a throttle
angle of 60%, the transmission will remain in 2 (Second) gear. No
automatic upshift will occur.
² If the driver passes the 60% throttle angle, a 2–1 kickdown will occur,
scheduled by the processor as used in D5. Once the 2–1 kickdown has
occurred, the transmission will remain in 1 (First) gear until 2
(Second) gear is manually selected by moving the gearshift lever. No
automatic upshift will occur.
² Once a 2–1 kickdown has occurred, manually shifting in and out of 1
(First ) gear is allowed until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
² A shift to 1 (First) with the vehicle at a stop is never allowed.
² When downshifting at normal road speeds, the transmission will only
allow a downshift into the next lower gear.
² If the gearshift lever is moved into the downshift (-) position more
than once in rapid succession, the transmission will only allow a
downshift into the next lower gear to prevent possible engine and/or
transmission damage. Once the vehicle reaches below a specified entry
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158
speed for the next lower gear, the transmission will allow another
downshift to occur if selected by the driver.
Recommended Shift Speeds
Upshift according to the following charts:
Recommended upshifts when accelerating
Select Shift V6 3.0L
Shift from:
1 - 2 n/a
2 - 3 39 km/h (24 mph)
3 - 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 - 5 69 km/h (43 mph)
Recommended upshifts when cruising
Select Shift V6 3.0L
Shift from:
1 - 2 n/a
2 - 3 29 km/h (18 mph)
3 - 4 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 - 5 64 km/h (40 mph)
Recommended upshifts when accelerating
Select Shift V8 3.9L
Shift from:
1 - 2 n/a
2 - 3 34 km/h (21 mph)
3 - 4 51 km/h (32 mph)
4 - 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Recommended upshifts when cruising
Select Shift V8 3.9L
Shift from:
1 - 2 n/a
2 - 3 26 km/h (16 mph)
3 - 4 47 km/h (29 mph)
4 - 5 61 km/h (38 mph)
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159
