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.
141
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of
wheel spin of each of the driven
wheels. If wheel spin is detected,
brake pressure is applied to the slip-
ping wheel(s) and engine power is
reduced to provide enhanced accel-
eration and stability. A feature of the
TCS system functions similar to a lim-
ited slip differential and controls the
wheel spin across a driven axle. If one
wheel on a driven axle is spinning
faster than the other, the system will
apply the brake of the spinning wheel.
This will allow more engine torque to
be applied to the wheel that is not
spinning. This feature remains active
even if TCS and ESC are in the “Par-
tial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)” in this sec-
tion of this manual.BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
(BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the
vehicle’s braking capability during
emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking
situation by sensing the rate and
amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the
brakes. This can help reduce braking
distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Ap-
plying the brakes very quickly results
in the best BAS assistance. To receive
the benefit of the system, you must
apply continuous braking pressure
during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless
braking is no longer desired. Once the
brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
WARNING!
The BAS cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the ve-
hicle brakes and tires or the trac-
tion afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent colli-
sions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning.
The capabilities of a BAS-
equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety
of others.
148
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubri-
cant is used in the transmission to
assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use the manufacturer’s rec-
ommended transmission fluid or a
quality-equivalent product. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for further information. It is impor-
tant that the transmission fluid be
maintained at the prescribed level us-
ing the recommended fluid.CAUTION!Using a transmission fluid other than
the manufacturer's recommended
fluid or a quality-equivalent product
may cause deterioration in transmis-
sion shift quality and/or torque con-
verter shudder. Using a transmission
fluid other than the manufactur er's
recommended fluid or a quality-
equivalent product will require more
frequent fluid and filter changes. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle” for further information.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
is an engineered product and its per-
formance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not
add any fluid additives to the trans-
mission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid
in detecting fluid leaks. In addition,
avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can
damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
Fluid Level Check
Routine fluid level checks are not re-
quired, therefore the transmission has
no dipstick. Your authorized dealer
can check your transmission fluid
level using a special service dipstick. If you notice fluid leakage or trans-
mission malfunction, visit your au-
thorized dealer immediately to have
the transmission fluid level checked.
Operating the vehicle with an im-
proper fluid level can cause severe
transmission damage.
Transmission Fluid And Filter
Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter
if the transmission is disassembled for
any reason.
CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
195