2012 Cadillac CTS AWD

handsworth

I recently purchased this vehicle and love it, however I am concerned about the mechanics of the shift knob. I step on the brakes, hold the shift button down to move the gears from par, to reverse and from reverse to neutral. I can feel the gears "settling in" However there is no "sense of feel" when going from neutral to drive. My car runs fine when driving but I can send it neutral just by moving the knob forward. Is this normal? Seems like I should have to hold the shift button down to go from drive to neutral. Any advice is appreciated.

xwesx

I have never found that to be the case on any automatic I've driven. Generally, the shift lock occurs to get the car into reverse or out of park. Other movements are not restricted by the lock. So summarize:

Locked:
'P' TO 'R'
'N' TO 'R'

Unlocked:
'R' TO 'N'
'N' TO 'D'
'D' TO 'N'

Older vehicles often had additional gear options within the standard shift range, and those would often have locks in place going down the gears, but not going up. Example, citing a four-speed automatic:

Locked:
'3' TO '2'
'2' TO '1' (or 'L')

Unlocked:
'1' TO '2'
'2' TO '3'
'3' TO 'D"

handsworth

Thanks, Seems like you are correct. My hand sometimes rests on the shift knob and its so easy to knock it from drive into neutral. Guess I have rest my arm further back on the console.