326
Continuously Variable Transmission
! N( Neutral) s07bg0103
This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position, the transmission is neutral, meaning that the wheels and transmission are not locked. Therefore, the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is applied.
Avoid coasting with the transmission in neutral. Engine braking has no effect in this condition.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the select lever in the“ N”( neutral) position. Engine braking has no effect in this condition and the risk of an accident is consequently increased.
! D( Drive) s07bg0104
This position is for normal driving. The transmission shifts automatically and continuously into a suitable gear according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require. Also, while driving up and down a hill, the transmission assists and controls the driving performance and engine braking while corresponding to the road grade.
When more acceleration is required in“ D” position, depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift. In this case, the transmission will operate like a conventional automatic transmission. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
If one of the shift paddles behind the steering wheel is operated while driving in the“ D” position, the transmission will temporarily switch to the manual mode. In this mode, you can shift to any gear position using the shift paddles. For details about the manual mode, refer to“ Selection of Manual Mode” FP328. Once the vehicle speed stabilizes, the transmission will switch from the manual mode back to the“ D” position for normal driving.
! While climbing a grade s07bg010401
When driving up a hill, undesired upshift is prevented from taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerating again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting resulting in a smoother operation of the vehicle.
NOTE
The transmission may downshift, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is depressed to accelerate the vehicle again.
& Shift Lock Function s07bg04
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 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( models without“ keyless access with pushbutton start system”).
. Only the“ P” position allows you to turn the push-button ignition switch to the“ OFF” position( models with“ keyless access with push-button start system”).
. If the ignition switch is turned to the“ ACC” position while the select lever is in the“ N” position, the select lever may not be moved to the“ P” position without depressing the brake pedal and press-