mode (refer to “AutoStick®” in
“Starting And Operating” for further
information) to select a lower gear.
Under these conditions, using a lower
gear will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmis-
sion operation may be modified de-
pending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed.
This feature improves warm up time
of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engage-
ment of the torque converter clutch is
inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this
section). During extremely cold tem-
peratures (27°C or below), operation
may briefly be limited to third gear
only. Normal operation will resume
once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored
electronically for abnormal condi-
tions. If a condition is detected that
could result in transmission damage,Transmission Limp Home Mode is ac-
tivated. In this mode, the transmis-
sion remains in third gear regardless
of which forward gear is selected.
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL
will continue to operate. The Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) may
be illuminated. Limp Home Mode al-
lows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem,
the transmission can be reset to regain
all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If
the problem is no longer detected, the
transmission will return to normal op-
eration.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be
reset, we recommend that you visit
an authorized dealer at your earli-
est possible convenience. Your au-
thorized dealer has diagnostic
equipment to determine if the
problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset,
authorized dealer service is required.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes
an electronically controlled Overdrive
(sixth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into the Overdrive
gear if the following conditions are
present:
the shift lever is in the DRIVE po-
sition,
the transmission fluid has reached an adequate temperature,
the engine coolant has reached an adequate temperature,
vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
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Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel
economy has been included in the au-
tomatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter
engages automatically at calibrated
speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during
normal operation in the upper gears.
When the vehicle speed drops or dur-
ing some accelerations, the clutch au-
tomatically disengages.
NOTE:
The torque converter clutch will
not engage until the transmission
fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 2 to 5 km of driving].
Because the engine speed is higher
when the torque converter clutch
is not engaged, it may seem as if the
transmission is not shifting into
Overdrive when cold. This is nor-
mal. Using the AutoStick® feature,
when the transmission is suffi-
ciently warm, will demonstrate
that the transmission is able to
shift into and out of Overdrive.AUTOSTICK®
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive
feature providing manual shift con-
trol, giving you more control of the
vehicle. AutoStick® allows you to
maximize engine braking, eliminate
undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle perfor-
mance. This system can also provide
you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, and many other
situations.
OPERATION
When the shift lever is in the
AutoStick® position (below the
DRIVE position), it can be moved
from side to side. This allows the
driver to manually select the trans-
mission gear being used. Moving the
shift lever to the left (-) triggers a
downshift and to the right (+) an up-
shift. The gear position will display in
the instrument cluster on the trans-
mission range indicator.
NOTE:
In AutoStick® mode, the transmis-
sion will only shift up or down
when the driver moves the shift
lever to the right (+) or left (-), or as
described below.
AutoStick® is deactivated when the
shift lever is moved from the
AutoStick (+/-) position into the
DRIVE position.
GENERAL INFORMATION
You can start out, from a stop, in
any gear except sixth. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at
too low of a vehicle speed.
If a ratio other than first gear is selected, and the vehicle is brought
to a stop, the transmission control
logic will automatically select the
first gear ratio.
Starting out in second gear is help- ful in snowy or icy conditions. To
select second gear after the vehicle
is brought to a stop, tap the shift
lever to the right (+) once.
Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is engaged.
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