Features and controls
3-91
3
• If you shift the gearshift lever into the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position and depress the accelerator pedal, increases in
the engine speed will be limited.
Starting the engine
N00542200146
[For vehicles equipped with the F.A.S.T.-key.]
For information on operation for vehicles equipped with the
F.A.S.T.-key, refer to “F.A.S.T.-key: Starting the engine” on
page 3-30.
[Except for vehicles equipped with the F.A.S.T.-key.]
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel
injection system, which automatically controls the release of
fuel. There is usually no need to depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
The starter should not be run for more than 15 seconds at a
time.
To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts
to restart the engine.
1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat
belts fastened
2. Insert the ignition key.
3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
5. Press and hold the clutch pedal all the way down (manual
transaxle).NOTEFor models equipped with a manual transaxle, the starter
will not operate unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed
(Clutch interlock). This is a safety feature.
WA R N I N G
!Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle
out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is
odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up
and cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
!Do not push-start the vehicle.Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm
up.Release the ignition switch as soon as the engine
starts. Otherwise, the starter motor will be dam-
aged.
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Features and controls
3-99
3
Driving precautions
N00513100215
The table below shows the maximum recommended driving
speed for in each gear. Do not drive near or at these speeds for
prolonged periods of time.Maximum possible driving speedDo not use the gearshift lever as a handrest. This can result in
premature wear of the transaxle shift forks.
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
(if so equipped)
N00513200229
The CVT will automatically and continuously change its gear
ratio depending on road and driving conditions. This helps
achieve smooth driving and excellent fuel efficiency.
Also you can manually shift up and shift down the transmis-
sion. Refer to “Sports mode” on page 3-107.DRIVING UPHILLThe transmission prevents unnecessary upshifts even when the
accelerator pedal is released and ensures smooth driving.DRIVING DOWNHILLAccording to the conditions, the transmission will automati-
cally shift to a lower gear ratio to achieve stronger engine brak-
ing. This may help reduce your need to use the service brake.Selector lever operation
N00513800384
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with a
continuously variable transmission have a shift-lock device
that holds the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position. To
move the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) position to
another position, follow the steps below.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the selector lever to the desired position.NOTEThe selector lever cannot be moved from “P” (PARK) to
another position if the ignition switch is at the “LOCK” or
“ACC” position, or the key has been removed, or if the
brake pedal is not pressed and held down.
Shift points
Maximum possible driving speed
1st gear 31 mph (50 km/h)2nd gear 62 mph (100 km/h)3rd gear 87 mph (140 km/h)4th gear 121 mph (195 km/h)
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Features and controls
3-107
3
Sports mode
(if so equipped)
N00514400417
Vehicles with manual gateWhether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, sports mode is
selected by pushing the selector lever from the “D” (DRIVE)
position into the manual gate (1). To return to “D” (DRIVE)
operation, push the selector lever back into the main gate (2).
In sports mode, rapid shifting is possible simply by operating
the selector lever or sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter.
Unlike the manual transaxle, sports mode allows shifting with
the accelerator pedal depressed.NOTEFor vehicles equipped with the sportronic steering wheel
paddle shifter, sports mode can be operated even when the
selector lever is in the main gate (2).
To return to “D” (DRIVE) operation, pull the sportronic
steering wheel paddle shifter on the + (UP) side for longer
than 2 seconds, or park the vehicle to change the selector
lever position indicator to “D” (DRIVE) and return to “D”
(DRIVE) operation.
+ (SHIFT UP)
Transmission shifts up once by each operation.
- (SHIFT DOWN)
Transmission shifts down once by each operation.
CAUTION
!Upward shifts do not take place automatically in
sports mode. The driver must make upward shifts in
accordance with prevailing road conditions, making
sure the engine rpm remains below the red zone on
the tachometer.
SHIFT UP
SHIFT
DOWN
SHIFT
UP SHIFT
DOWN
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3-108 Features and controls
3
NOTEShift ranges can only be selected in a forward direction
from 1st to 6th. To reverse or park the vehicle, move the
selector lever to the “R” or “P” position.
To maintain good running performance, the transmission
may refuse to perform an upshift when the selector lever
or sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter is moved to the
“+ (SHIFT UP)” position at certain vehicle speeds. Also,
to prevent over-revving of the engine, the transmission
may refuse to perform a downshift when the shift lever or
sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter is moved to the “-
(SHIFT DOWN)” position at certain vehicle speeds.
When this happens, a buzzer sounds to indicate that a
downshift is not going to take place.
Move the selector lever gently between the manual and
main gates and between positions in the manual gate. And
do not operate sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter
violently. Excessive force could damage the selector lever
or sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter.
Except for vehicles with manual gateWhile driving with the selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE),
sports mode can be selected by pulling one of the sportronic
steering wheel shifters toward you.
In sports mode, rapid shifting is possible simply by operating
the sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter.
Unlike the manual transaxle, sports mode allows shifting with
the accelerator pedal depressed.NOTETo return to “D” (DRIVE) operation, pull the sportronic
steering wheel paddle shifter on the + (UP) side for longer
than 2 seconds, or park the vehicle to change the selector
lever position indicator to “D” (DRIVE) and return to “D”
(DRIVE) operation.
When the sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter is oper-
ated with the selector lever in the “L” (LOW) position,
gear is not shifted because the selectable shift range is
limited.
By rapidly moving the selector lever or sportronic
steering wheel paddle shifter to the “- (SHIFT
DOWN)” side twice, it is possible to skip one shift
range (i.e., 3rd to 1st or 4th to 2nd). Since sudden
engine braking or acceleration can cause a loss of
traction, downshifts must be made carefully in
accordance with the vehicle’s speed.On vehicles with a sportronic steering wheel paddle
shifter, shift ranges may not change when the lateral
paddle shifters are operated at the same time.
CAUTION
!
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Features and controls
3-113
3 Twin Clutch SST (Sportronic Shift Trans-
mission)
(if so equipped)
N00539700059
The Twin Clutch SST is a transmission that, through integrated
control of the engine and transmission, is able to achieve both
the smooth shifting of an automatic transaxle and the accelera-
tion and fuel economy close to a manual transaxle. In addition,
the control mode can be selected from two types to suit the
driving conditions.
Together with manual shifting, the transmission is capable of
responding to a variety of driving circumstances.
Twin Clutch SST control mode→ P.3-121
Manual shift → P. 3 - 1 2 3
Gearshift lever operation
N00539800050
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with a
Twin Clutch SST have a shift-lock device that holds the gear-
shift lever in the “P” (PARK) position. To move the gearshift
lever from the “P” (PARK) position to another position, follow
the steps below.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the gearshift lever to the desired position.NOTEThe gearshift lever cannot be moved from “P” (PARK) to
another position if the ignition switch is at the “LOCK” or
“ACC” position, or the key has been removed, or if the
brake pedal is not pressed and held down.
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Features and controls
3-121
3
Twin Clutch SST control mode
N00540200070
Select the control mode from the following two types to suit
the driving conditions.
NOTEWhen 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 3-117 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
3-135
3
ACD control mode displayExample: “TARMAC” mode is selected.
The currently selected control mode is displayed on the multi-
information display.
In addition, when the control mode is changed, the selected
mode appears on the interrupt display screen of the information
screen in the multi-information display.
The control mode display will appear on the information
screen for a few seconds, and then the original screen will
return.ACD warning display
N00545700041
When there is a malfunction in the system, the warning dis-
play will appear on the information screen in the multi-infor-
mation display.In addition, the ACD control mode display in section (A) will
go out at the same time.
CAUTION
!The ACD control mode display may flash under
aggressive driving conditions.
At this time, ACD control is temporarily suspended
in order to protect the ACD device, but this will not
affect normal driving.
After the vehicle is driven for a while, if the ACD
control mode display remains on, the ACD control
will start operating again.
CAUTION
!The system may be malfunctioning.
Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine.
Restart the engine and check whether the warn-
ing display goes out.
If the warning display goes out, there is no
abnormal condition. If the warning display does
not go out or appears frequently, it is not necessary
to stop the vehicle immediately, but we recommend
you to have your vehicle inspected.
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3-136 Features and controls
3
NOTEIf the ambient temperature drops and the viscosity of the
AWC control fluid increases, the warning may be dis-
played.
At this time, ACD control is temporarily suspended, but
this will not affect normal driving.
After the vehicle is driven for a while, if the engine is
restarted after the AWC control fluid warms up or the
ambient temperature increases, the ACD control will start
operating again if the warning display goes out.
Electronically controlled 4WD system
(if so
equipped)N00548300019
The electronically controlled 4WD system is an all-wheel drive
system that allows one of three drive modes to be selected with
a switch, in accordance with the driving conditions.
The following drive modes are available.
4-wheel drive operation requires special driving skills.
Carefully read the “All-wheel driving operation” section on
page 3-140 and take care to drive safely.
Drive mode
Function
2WDThis mode is for economical
driving on normal dry roads
and freeways.
Driving in front-wheel drive.
4WD AUTOThe default mode.
This mode is for automatically
controlling the distribution of
driving torque to all four
wheels according to the driving
conditions.
4WD LOCKThis mode is for driving in slip-
pery conditions such as on
snow-covered roads or sand.
The large amount of driving
torque that is applied to the rear
tires enables getting out of slip-
pery areas and powerful driving
is possible across all ranges.
BK0150800US.book 136 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後2時38分