2013 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK transmission

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 speed
The 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.NOTE
The 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

3-100 Features and controls
3
NOTE
To ensure proper transmission operation, stop at each
detent position when shifting. After shifting, check the
position in the multi-information display.

If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the shift-lock
device activates to prevent the selector lever from being
moved from the “P” (PARK) position.

For a shift indicated by in the illustration, depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector lever. If you
attempt to move the selector lever before depressing the
brake pedal, the selector lever will be immovable.
Vehicles with manual gateThe CVT selects an optimum ratio automatically when the
selector lever is in the “D” (DRIVE) position, depending on the
speed of the vehicle and the position of the accelerator pedal.
The selector lever (A) has 2 gates; the main gate (B) and the
manual gate (C).NOTE
In the main gate, the selector lever has 4 positions.

For information on manual gate operation, please refer to
“Sports mode” on page 3-106.
BK0151000US.book 100 ページ ２０１２年３月２９日　木曜日　午後６時８分

Features and controls
3-101
3
NOTE
To ensure proper transmission operation, stop at each
detent position when shifting. After shifting, check the
position in the multi-information display.

If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the shift-lock
device activates to prevent the selector lever from being
moved from the “P” (PARK) position.

For a shift indicated by in the illustration, depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector lever. If you
attempt to move the selector lever before depressing the
brake pedal, the selector lever will be immovable.
With the brake pedal depressed, set the selector lever in
the gate to operate.
Set the selector lever in the gate to operate.WA R N I N G
!
Always depress the brake pedal when shifting the
selector lever into a selector position from the “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
When beginning to drive, do not shift the selector
lever from the “P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL)
position while depressing the accelerator pedal.
Doing so is dangerous because the vehicle will
“jump” forward or backward.
BK0151000US.book 101 ページ ２０１２年３月２９日　木曜日　午後６時８分

3-104 Features and controls
3
Selector lever positions
N00514200372
“P” PARKThis position locks the transmission to prevent the vehicle
from moving. The engine can be started from the “PARK”
position.“R” REVERSEMove the lever to this position only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
CAUTION
!
If a malfunction occurs in the CVT while driving,
the warning display or the warning display
will appear on the information screen in the multi-
information display.
In this case, immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and follow these procedures:
[When warning display is showing]
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid
is overheating. The engine control may activate to
lower the CVT fluid temperature, causing the
engine revolutions and vehicle speed to decrease. In
this case, take one of the following procedures:
• Slow down your vehicle.
• Stop your vehicle in a safe place, put the selector
lever in the “P” (PARK) position, and open the
engine hood with the engine running to allow the
engine to cool down.After a while, confirm that the warning display is
no longer showing. It is safe to continue driving if
the display is no longer showing. If the warning dis-
play remains or flashes frequently, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
[When warning display is showing]
It may be that there is something unusual happening
in the CVT, causing a safety device to activate. Have
your vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible. CAUTION
!
Never shift into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion.
If the lever is shifted into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion,
the transmission may be damaged.
CAUTION
!
BK0151000US.book 104 ページ ２０１２年３月２９日　木曜日　午後６時８分

Features and controls
3-105
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. The
transmission will automatically and continuously change its
gear ratio depending on road and driving conditions.“L” LOW (except for vehicles with manual gate)This position is for driving up very steep hills and for engine
braking at low speeds when driving down steep hills.
WA R N I N G
!
Never move the selector lever to the “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position while driving since you could acci-
dentally slip it into the “P” (PARK) or
“R”(REVERSE) position, damaging the transmis-
sion.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling when stopped on
a slope, the engine should be started in the “P”
(PARK) position, not in “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
To prevent rolling, always keep your foot on the
brake pedal when the vehicle is in “N” (NEUTRAL)
position, or when shifting into or out of “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position.
CAUTION
!
To prevent transmission damage, never shift into the
“D” (DRIVE) position from the “R” (REVERSE)
position while the vehicle is in motion.
WA R N I N G
!
This position can be used for maximum engine
braking.
Be very careful not to shift into “L” (LOW) sud-
denly. Sudden engine braking may cause the tires to
skid.
Select this position according to the road conditions
and vehicle speed.
BK0151000US.book 105 ページ ２０１２年３月２９日　木曜日　午後６時８分

3-106 Features and controls
3
Sports mode
(if so equipped)
N00514400420
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.NOTE
For 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). Also, you can return
to the “D” operation in any of following ways. When
returning to “D” operation, the selector lever position dis-
play will change to “D” (DRIVE) position.
• Pull the + (SHIFT UP) side sportronic steering wheel
paddle shifter forward (toward the driver) for over 2 sec-
onds.
• Stop the vehicle
• Push the selector lever from the “D” (DRIVE) position
into the manual gate (A) and push the selector lever
back into the main gate (B).
+ (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
BK0151000US.book 106 ページ ２０１２年３月２９日　木曜日　午後６時８分

Features and controls
3-107
3
NOTE
Shift 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.NOTE
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.

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

3-108 Features and controls
3
NOTE
Shift 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 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 sportronic steering wheel
paddle shifter is moved to the “-(SHIFT DOWN)” posi-
tion at certain vehicle speeds. When this happens, a
buzzer sounds to indicate that a downshift is not going to
take place.

Do not operate sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter
violently. Excessive force could damage the sportronic
steering wheel paddle shifter.
+ (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 DOWN
SHIFT UP

By rapidly moving the 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 acceler-
ation can cause a loss of traction, downshifts must be
made carefully in accordance with the vehicle’s
speed.
Shift ranges may not change when the lateral paddle
shifters are operated at the same time.
CAUTION
!
BK0151000US.book 108 ページ ２０１２年３月２９日　木曜日　午後６時８分