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3-120 Features and controls
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“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.
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Features and controls
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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.
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3-124 Features and controls
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NOTEOnly 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.
Shifting using the gearshift lever
N00540600016
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.
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Features and controls
3-125
3
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.NOTEAfter manual shifting is selected using the gearshift lever,
shifting up and down can also be performed using the
sportronic steering wheel shifters.Returning to “D” range operation
Move the gearshift lever toward the front passenger’s seat to
return to automated shifting.
NOTEWhen the gearshift lever is moved to the “D” (DRIVE)
position from the manual shift gate, it may automatically
select a gear different from the gear selected during man-
ual shifting depending on vehicle speed or driving condi-
tions.
SHIFT DOWN
SHIFT UP
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3-126 Features and controls
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Shifting using the sportronic steering wheel shifters
N00540700017
Selecting manual shifting
While the vehicle is stopped or being driven with the gearshift
lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position, manual shifting can be
selected by pulling one of the sportronic steering wheel shifters
toward you.Shifting up
Each time the + (SHIFT UP) sportronic steering wheel shifter
is pulled, the transmission shifts up 1 gear.- (SHIFT DOWN) + (SHIFT UP)
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3
Shifting down
Each time the - (SHIFT DOWN) sportronic steering wheel
shifter is pulled, the transmission shifts down 1 gear.NOTEAfter manual shifting is selected using the sportronic
steering wheel shifters, shifting up and down can also be
performed using the gearshift lever.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.
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3-128 Features and controls
3
NOTEIf 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.
Manual shift display
N00543000079
In manual shift, the currently selected gear is displayed on the
multi-information display.
through
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3-130 Features and controls
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Passing acceleration
N00540900019
To gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) position (when
passing another vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor if it is
safe to do so in traffic conditions. The Twin Clutch SST will
automatically downshift.NOTEIn manual shift, downshifts do not take place when the
accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor.Uphill/downhill driving
N00541600026
DRIVING UPHILL
The Twin Clutch SST may not upshift to a higher shift position
if the computer determines the current speed cannot be main-
tained once a higher shift position is engaged.
For smoother vehicle performance, if you release the throttle
while climbing a steep grade, the Twin Clutch SST may not
upshift. This is normal, as the computer is temporarily prevent-
ing shifting. After reaching the top of the hill, normal shift
function will resume.
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.
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.
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