Starting and operating
! D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.
The transmission automatically shifts into
a suitable gear according to the vehicle
speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this
position, depress the accelerator pedal
fully to the floor and hold that position. The
transmission will automatically downshift.
When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
To use the “SPORT” mode, move the lever
from this position into the manual gate.
To use the manual mode, move the lever
from this position into the manual gate
then move it toward the “+” or “−” end.
! While climbing a grade
When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to
4th gear is prevented from taking place
when the accelerator pedal is released.
This minimizes the chance of subsequent
downshifting to a lower gear when accelerating again. This prevents repeated
upshifting and downshifting, resulting in
smoother operation of the vehicle.
NOTE
The transmission may downshift to 2nd
or 1st gear, depending on the way the
accelerator pedal is pressed to accel-
erate the vehicle again.
! While going down a hill
When you are descending a hill or any
other slope in the “SPORT” mode and you
apply the brakes, the transmission may
downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear depending on
how hard you depress the brake pedal,
causing engine braking to work. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the
transmission to upshift normally.
NOTE
. A 4th-to-3rd automatic downshift
will not occur at speeds above 50
mph (80 km/h) and a 3rd-to-2nd automatic downshift will not occur at
speeds above 24 mph (38 km/h).
. Automatic downshifts may occur
even when driving on a level road
depending on conditions, such as
how hard you depress the brake pedal.
& Shift lock function
The shift lock function helps prevent the
improper operation of the select lever.
. The select lever cannot be operated
unless the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and the brake pedal is
depressed.
. The select lever cannot be moved from
the “P” position to any other position
7-17
before the brake pedal is depressed.
Depress the brake pedal first, and then
operate the select lever.
. Only the “P” position allows you to turn
the key from the “Acc” position to the
“LOCK” position and remove the key from
the ignition key cylinder.
. If the ignition switch is turned to the
“LOCK” position while the select lever is in
the “N” position, the select lever may not
be moved to the “P” position after a period
of time. Therefore, move the select lever
to the “P” position with the brake pedal
depressed soon after the ignition switch is
turned to the “LOCK” position.
! Shift lock release
If the select lever cannot be operated, turn
the ignition switch back to the “ON”
position then move the select lever to the
“P” position with the brake pedal depressed.
If the select lever does not move after
performing the above procedure, perform
the following steps.
– CONTINUED –