3-98 Features and controls
3
Driving precautions
N00513100231
Do not use the gearshift lever as a handrest. This can
result in premature wear of the transaxle shift forks.Maximum possible driving speedThe table above shows the maximum recommended driv-
ing speed for in each gear. Do not drive near or at these
speeds for prolonged periods of time.
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 3-106.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
N00513800397
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with a
CVT 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)
BK0151000US.book 98 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
Features and controls
3-107
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” (REVERSE) or “P” (PARK)
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
!
BK0151000US.book 107 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
3-112 Features and controls
3Twin Clutch SST (Sportronic Shift Trans-
mission)
(if so equipped)
N00539700046
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 - 1 2 0
Manual shift → P.3-123
Gearshift lever operation
N00539800047
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.
BK0151000US.book 112 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
3-120 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.NOTEFor information on manual shift gate operation, please
refer to “Manual shift” on page 3-123.
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
N00540200067
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.
BK0151000US.book 120 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
Features and controls
3-121
3
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 3-116 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.
Twin Clutch SST control mode switch
N00540300055
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.
BK0151000US.book 121 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
Features and controls
3-137
3
ACD control mode switch
N00545500036
When the ignition switch is set to the “ON” position, operate
the “AWC” switch to change the control mode.
Each time the switch is pushed, the control mode changes in
the order “TARMAC” → “GRAVEL” → “SNOW” → “TAR-
MAC”.NOTEThe control mode can be changed while the vehicle is
moving.
The selected control mode is stored in memory even if the
engine is stopped.
However, if a battery terminal is disconnected, the control
mode stored in memory will be erased and the control
mode will be set to the “TARMAC” mode.
ACD control mode display
N00545600053
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.Example: “TARMAC” mode is selected.
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.
BK0151000US.book 137 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
3-138 Features and controls
3
ACD warning display
N00545700096
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.
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.
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
that you have your vehicle inspected.
BK0151000US.book 138 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分
3-150 Features and controls
3
Traction control function
N00559200047
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessive, thus helping the vehicle
to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides suffi-
cient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the acceleration pedal.Skid control function
N00546800023
The skid control function is designed to help the driver main-
tain control of the vehicle on slippery roads or during rapid
steering maneuvers. It works by controlling the engine output
and the brake on each wheel.NOTEThe skid control function operates at speeds of about 9
mph (15 km/h) or higher.
“ASC OFF” switch
N00559400212
The ASC is automatically activated when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position. You can deactivate the system by
pressing down the “ASC OFF” switch for 3 seconds or longer.
When the ASC is deactivated, the display/indicator will turn
on. To reactivate the ASC, momentarily press the “ASC OFF”
switch ; the display/indicator is turned off.
CAUTION
!When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.
CAUTION
!For safety reasons, the “ASC OFF” switch should be
operated when your vehicle is stopped.Be sure to keep the ASC on while driving in normal
circumstances.
BK0151000US.book 150 ページ 2012年3月29日 木曜日 午後6時8分