2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART manual transmission

Features and controls
3-119
3
“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.
“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 3-122.

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.
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.
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.
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3-120 Features and controls
3
Twin Clutch SST control mode
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Select the control mode from the following two types to suit
the driving conditions.
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 3-116 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.
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
3-123
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.
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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3-124 Features and controls
3
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.Shifting up and shifting down
Each time the gearshift lever is pulled rearward, the transmis-
sion shifts up 1 gear.
In addition, each time the gearshift lever is pushed forward, the
transmission shifts down 1 gear.
NOTE
After manual shifting is selected using the gearshift lever,
shifting up and down can also be performed using the
sportronic steering wheel shifters.
SHIFT DOWN
SHIFT UP
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3-126 Features and controls
3
Shifting up
Each time the + (SHIFT UP) sportronic steering wheel shifter
is pulled, the transmission shifts up 1 gear.Shifting down
Each time the - (SHIFT DOWN) sportronic steering wheel
shifter is pulled, the transmission shifts down 1 gear.
NOTE
After manual shifting is selected using the sportronic
steering wheel shifters, shifting up and down can also be
performed using the gearshift lever.
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Features and controls
3-127
3
Returning to “D” range operation
When the gearshift lever is in the “D” (DRIVE) position, pull
the + (SHIFT UP) sportronic steering wheel shifter toward you
for 2 seconds or more to return to “D” range operation.
NOTE
If manual shifting is selected using the sportronic steering
wheel shifters when the gearshift lever is in the “D”
(DRIVE) position, the transmission will automatically
return to “D” range operation before the vehicle stops.

When the transmission returns to “D” range operation
from manual shifting, it may automatically shift up or
down from the gear selected using manual shifting
depending on the vehicle speed or driving conditions.

If manual shifting is selected using the sportronic steering
wheel shifters, “D” range operation will again be selected
by moving the gearshift lever from the “D” (DRIVE)
position toward the driver’s seat, then return it toward the
front passenger’s seat.
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3-130 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 3-117.
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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Features and controls
3-179
3
Ta c h o m e t e r
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The tachometer shows engine revolutions per minute. This
allows the driver to determine the most efficient shift position
(manual transaxle), selector position {continuously variable
transmission (CVT)} or shift position (Twin Clutch SST) and
engine speed combinations.
This gauge also assists in evaluating engine performance.
Ty p e 2
CAUTION
!
The red zone indicates an engine speed beyond the
range of safe operation.
Select the correct shift position (manual transaxle),
selector position (CVT) or gearshift position (Twin
Clutch SST) to control the engine speed so that the
tachometer indicator does not enter the red zone.
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