2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK engine

Features and controls
3-111
3
Gearshift lever positions (Main shift gate)
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“P” PARKThis position locks the transmission to prevent the vehicle
from moving. The engine can be started from the “PARK”
position.“R” REVERSEMove the lever to this position only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
“N” NEUTRALAt this position, the transmission is disengaged. It is the same
as the neutral position on a manual transaxle and should be
used when the vehicle is not moving for an extended length of
time during driving, such as in a traffic jam.
CAUTION
!

Never shift into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion.
If the lever is shifted into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion,
the transmission may be damaged.
WA R N I N G
!

Never move the gearshift lever to the “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position while driving since you could acci-
dentally slip it into the “P” (PARK) or
“R”(REVERSE) position and the engine speed
could rise, damaging the transmission.


To prevent the vehicle from rolling when stopped on
a slope, the engine should be started in the “P”
(PARK) position.
Although the engine can be started when the vehicle
is in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position, for safety rea-
sons, do not start the engine in the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position.


Always keep your foot on the brake pedal when the
vehicle is in “N” (NEUTRAL) position, or when
shifting into or out of “N” (NEUTRAL) position, to
prevent rolling.
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3-112 Features and controls
3
“D” DRIVEThis position is used for most city and highway driving. Engine
shifting and braking are done automatically as needed, depend-
ing on road conditions.NOTE

For information on manual shift gate operation, please
refer to “Manual shift” on page 3-115.


When the engine is cold, upshifts occur at a higher vehicle
speed than when the engine is warm.
This control is performed to quickly warm up the engine.
It does not indicate a malfunction. After the vehicle has
been driven for a while, upshifts will occur at the regular
engine speeds.
Twin Clutch SST control mode
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Select the control mode from the following two types to suit
the driving conditions.
CAUTION
!

Never shift into the “D” (DRIVE) position from the
“R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in
motion.
If the lever is shifted into the “D” (DRIVE) from the
“R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in
motion, the transmission may be damaged.
Tw i n C l u t c h
SST control
mode
Characteristic
NORMAL
(Control mode
when engine is
started)Control mode for normal driving on local
roads, freeways, and the like.
Smooth shifting is performed at low engine
speeds for economical driving with good ride
quality.
SPORTControl mode for driving on mountain roads,
roads with uphill and downhill slopes, and
freeways with long downhill slopes where
engine braking is necessary.
Compared to “NORMAL” mode, shifting
occurs at higher engine speeds and is quicker.
In addition, quick downshifting is possible
when the accelerator pedal is depressed for
quick acceleration or when the brakes are
applied.
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Features and controls
3-113
3
NOTE

When continuously driving on closed circuit tracks or at
other locations where the engine is operated at high
speeds and under a heavy load, the Twin Clutch SST fluid
temperature will have a tendency to rise.
In this case, if the temperature rises too high, the warn-
ing display will appear on the information screen in the
multi-information display to alert the driver.
If the warning display appears, be sure to refer to
“Warning display” on page 3-108 and follow the appropri-
ate measures.


The Twin Clutch SST control mode can be selected both
when “D” range operation is selected and when manual
shifting is selected.


If you select “SPORT” mode while the engine is cold, the
transmission may shift up at different speeds compared to
that when the engine is warm.
This is simply the operation of the control system to warm
the engine quickly. It does not indicate a malfunction.


For slippery road surfaces, such as roads with accumu-
lated snow, “NORMAL” mode is recommended for
smooth shifting at low engine speeds.
Twin Clutch SST control mode switch
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When the ignition switch is set to the “ON” position, operate
the Twin Clutch SST control mode switch (A) to change the
control mode.
When the engine is started, the control mode is automatically
set to the “NORMAL” mode. Use the following procedures to
change the control mode.
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3-114 Features and controls
3
To shift from “NORMAL” mode to “SPORT” mode
While the vehicle is stopped or being driven, push the Twin
Clutch SST control mode switch forward.
To shift from “SPORT” mode to “NORMAL” mode
While the vehicle is stopped or being driven, push the Twin
Clutch SST control mode switch rearward.NOTE

If the Twin Clutch SST control mode switch is continu-
ously pressed after a control mode has been selected, an
erroneous operation prevention function operates and the
control mode is automatically set to the “NORMAL”
mode.
If you would like to select a control mode again, return the
ignition switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and
restart the engine. Then, push the Twin Clutch SST con-
trol mode switch.
Twin Clutch SST control mode display
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When the ignition switch is set to the “ON” position, the cur-
rently selected control mode is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display.
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Features and controls
3-115
3
Manual shift
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Using the gearshift lever (A) or the sportronic steering wheel
shifters (B), shifting can be performed manually.
Shifting can be performed even while the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
This allows the driver to enjoy sporty driving, such as quick
cornering, by nimbly downshifting to reduce vehicle speed just
before entering a curve.
CAUTION
!

When manually shifting while the vehicle is being
driven, select the correct shift position to control the
engine speed so that the tachometer indicator does
not enter the red zone.


Sudden engine braking and rapid acceleration can
cause the vehicle to skid. Shift down according to
road conditions and vehicle speed.


If both the left and right sportronic steering wheel
shifters are operated at the same time, the transmis-
sion may not change gears.
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3-116 Features and controls
3
NOTE

Only the forward gears 1 to 6 can be selected.
To reverse or park, place the gearshift lever in the “R”
(REVERSE) or “P” (PARK) position.


During manual shifting, downshifting will be performed
automatically when the vehicle slows down and the trans-
mission will downshift to 1st gear before the vehicle
stops.


If the gearshift lever or sportronic steering wheel shifters
are operated repeatedly, the transmission will also shift
repeatedly.


In order to ensure driving performance, upshifting may
not occur depending on the vehicle speed even if the gear-
shift lever or sportronic steering wheel shifters are oper-
ated. In addition, in order to prevent excessive engine
speed, the buzzer sounds and downshifting may not occur
depending on the vehicle speed even if the gearshift lever
or sportronic steering wheel shifters are operated.


When driving in an aggressive manner involving high
engine rpm, sudden acceleration and/or deceleration, the
Twin Clutch SST could take longer to shift due to higher
fluid temperatures.
Shifting using the gearshift lever
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Selecting manual shifting
While the vehicle is stopped or being driven, move the gear-
shift lever from the “D” (DRIVE) position in the main shift
gate toward the driver’s seat to select manual shifting.
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Features and controls
3-121
3
Operation of the Twin Clutch SST
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Passing acceleration
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To gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) position (when
passing another vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor if it is
safe to do so in traffic conditions. The Twin Clutch SST will
automatically downshift.NOTE

In manual shift, downshifts do not take place when the
accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor.
Uphill/downhill driving
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DRIVING UPHILL
The Twin Clutch SST may not upshift to a higher shift position
if the computer determines the current speed cannot be main-
tained once a higher shift position is engaged.
For smoother vehicle performance, if you release the throttle
while climbing a steep grade, the Twin Clutch SST may not
upshift. This is normal, as the computer is temporarily prevent-
ing shifting. After reaching the top of the hill, normal shift
function will resume.
CAUTION
!

Before selecting a position with the engine running
and the vehicle stationary, fully depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from creeping.
Do not release the brakes until you are ready to
drive away. The vehicle will begin to move as soon as
the Twin Clutch SST is engaged.


Depress the brake pedal with the right foot.
Using the left foot could cause driver movement
delay in case of an emergency.


To prevent sudden acceleration, never run the
engine at high rpms when shifting from the “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.


Operating the accelerator pedal while the other foot
is resting on the brake pedal will affect braking effi-
ciency, may cause premature wear of brake pads
and may cause engine damage.


Do not rev the engine with the brake pedal pressed
when the vehicle is stationary.
This can cause sudden acceleration and damage the
Twin Clutch SST.
Also, when you depress the accelerator pedal while
holding down the brake pedal with the gearshift
lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position, the engine revo-
lutions may not rise as high as when performing the
same operation with the gearshift lever in the “N”
(NEUTRAL) position.
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3-122 Features and controls
3
DRIVING DOWNHILL
When traveling down steep grades, the computer may automat-
ically select a lower shift position. This function assists engine
braking efforts, reducing the need for using the service brakes.
Waiting
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For short waiting periods, such as at traffic lights, the vehicle
can be left in gearshift lever position and held stationary with
the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine running, place the
gearshift lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and apply the
parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary with the
service brake.
Prior to moving off after having stopped the vehicle, make sure
that the gearshift lever is in “D” (DRIVE) position or manual
shift position.
CAUTION
!

Do not use the tendency of the vehicle to creep for-
ward in order to drive at low speeds up hills.
The transmission may be damaged and an accident
may occur due to the following conditions. The Twin Clutch SST fluid temperature will rise
and can cause transmission damage.
 If the vehicle is continuously driven at low speeds
using the tendency of the vehicle to creep forward,
the vehicle will vibrate or the warning display
will appear on the information screen in the multi-
information display to alert the driver that the
Twin Clutch SST fluid temperature has risen.
After that, if the Twin Clutch SST fluid tempera-
ture rises even higher, the transmission protection
control will operate.
If this occurs, the vehicle may suddenly reverse as
if the gearshift lever was in the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position and cause an accident.
If the warning display appears or the transmis-
sion protection control operates, refer to “When
warning display is showing” on page 3-109.
CAUTION
!

Do not rev the engine unnecessarily while the vehicle
is stationary. Unexpected acceleration may occur if
the gearshift lever is in a position other than “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL).
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