[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR571.102]

[Page 202]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart B_Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
 
Sec. 571.102  Standard No. 102; Transmission shift lever sequence, starter 
interlock, and transmission braking effect.

    S1. Purpose and scope. This standard specifies the requirements for 
the transmission shift lever sequence, a starter interlock, and for a 
braking effect of automatic transmissions, to reduce the likelihood of 
shifting errors, starter engagement with vehicle in drive position, and 
to provide supplemental braking at speeds below 40 kilometers per hour.
    S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses.
    S3. Requirements.
    S3.1 Automatic transmissions.
    S3.1.1 Location of transmission shift lever positions on passenger 
cars. A neutral position shall be located between forward drive and 
reverse drive positions. If a steering-column-mounted transmission shift 
lever is used, movement from neutral position to forward drive position 
shall be clockwise. If the transmission shift lever sequence includes a 
park position, it shall be located at the end, adjacent to the reverse 
drive position.
    S3.1.2 Transmission braking effect. In vehicles having more than one 
forward transmission gear ratio, one forward drive position shall 
provide a greater degree of engine braking than the highest speed 
transmission ratio at vehicle speeds below 40 kilometers per hour.
    S3.1.3 Starter interlock. The engine starter shall be inoperative 
when the transmission shift lever is in a forward or reverse drive 
position.
    S3.1.4 Identification of shift lever positions.
    S3.1.4.1 Except as specified in S3.1.4.3, if the transmission shift 
lever sequence includes a park position, identification of shift lever 
positions, including the positions in relation to each other and the 
position selected, shall be displayed in view of the driver whenever any 
of the following conditions exist:
    (a) The ignition is in a position where the transmission can be 
shifted.
    (b) The transmission is not in park.
    S3.1.4.2 Except as specified in S3.1.4.3, if the transmission shift 
lever sequence does not include a park position, identification of shift 
lever positions, including the positions in relation to each other and 
the position selected, shall be displayed in view of the driver whenever 
the ignition is in a position in which the engine is capable of 
operation.
    S3.1.4.3 Such information need not be displayed when the ignition is 
in a position that is used only to start the vehicle.
    S3.1.4.4 Effective September 23, 1991, all of the information 
required to be displayed by S3.1.4.1 or S3.1.4.2 shall be displayed in 
view of the driver in a single location. At the option of the 
manufacturer, redundant displays providing some or all of the 
information may be provided.
    S3.2 Manual transmissions. Identification of the shift lever pattern 
of manual transmissions, except three forward speed manual transmissions 
having the standard ``H'' pattern, shall be displayed in view of the 
driver at all times when a driver is present in the driver's seating 
position.

[36 FR 22902, Dec. 2, 1971, as amended at 54 FR 29045, July 11, 1989; 56 
FR 12471, Mar. 26, 1991; 60 FR 13642, March 14, 1995]