Normal Starting of the
Engine
WARNING!
It is dangerous to run the engine in an
enclosed area. The engine consumes
oxygen and discharges carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and other
toxic gases in the atmosphere.
WARNING!
California Proposition 65
Operating, servicing and maintaining
a passenger vehicle or off-road vehicle
can expose you to chemicals including
such as, engine exhaust, carbon
monoxide, phthalates and lead, that
which are know to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To
minimize exposure, avoid breathing
exhaust, do not idle the engine except
as necessary, service your vehicle in a
well-ventilated area and wear gloves
or wash your hands frequently when
servicing your vehicle. For more
information go to:www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-
vehicle
When you open a door to get into the
car, the instrument cluster turns on.
The TFT displays the complete
odometer, time, outside temperature
and the
open doors indicator.
Before starting the engine, close the
doors, adjust your seat, the inside and
outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt
and instruct all other occupants to
buckle their seat belts.
Make sure that the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) is applied.
The shift lever must be in P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position before you can start
the engine. Apply the brakes before
shifting into any driving gear (see
“Automatic Transmission” in this
section).
CAUTION!
• Before starting the engine, switch off
the electrical devices with a high
power consumption (air-conditioning
and heating system, heated rear
window, headlights, etc.).
• Do not start the engine if the fuel
level in the tank is low.
Press the brake pedal and turn the key
in the ignition switch toMAR (ON)
position.
Instrument cluster displays the initial
sequence with warning light and
analog instruments test routine.
Turn the key intoAVVposition and
release it when the engine starts. The
key will return toMAR (ON)position
automatically.
Do not hold the key inAVVposition
for a long time.
If the engine fails to start, the starter
will disengage automatically after 10
seconds. If you wish to stop the
cranking of the engine prior to
starting it, turn the key toSTOP (OFF)
position.
If the engine does not start, turn the
key toSTOP (OFF)position and wait
for the gear display to go off. Then
repeat the entire procedure.
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a
warm engine is obtained without
pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Driving
5
148
lever. The selected position will
illuminate in white light.
• P (Park);
• R (Reverse);
• N (Neutral);
• D (Drive) automatic forward speed (6
ranges);
• –/+ to downshift or upshift in
sequential manual mode (see "Drive
Mode" in this section).
Transmission status (example shown in
picture: D (Drive)) is visible also on the
central part of the instrument cluster
display.Starting the Engine
The engine can only be started when
the transmission shift lever is in P
(Park) or N (Neutral) position.
WARNING!
Always start the engine holding the
brake pedal depressed.
NOTE:
After starting the engine and setting
off, do not depress the accelerator
pedal before and while shifting the
transmission shift lever. This is
particularly important when the
engine is cold.
Driving the Vehicle
After starting the vehicle, with the
engine idling and the brake pedal
depressed ("Shift-Lock" safety), movethe transmission shift lever to D
(Drive) position or in the position for
sequential manual shifting "+" or "–".
Release the brake pedal and gradually
depress the accelerator pedal.
NOTE:
The transmission shift lever can be
moved to P (Park) position only when
the key in the ignition switch is in the
MAR (ON)position and both the
unlock button on the transmission
lever and the brake pedal are pushed
(Shift-lock safety).
For safety reasons, the transmission
shift lever can be moved from D
(Drive) position to R (Reverse) and P
(Park) position only when unlock
button on the transmission shift lever
is pushed. It is also advisable to
depress the brake pedal during this
maneuver.
NOTE:
•Do not run the engine at top RPM
until it has reached stable operating
temperature.
•In the case of performance starting,
check that the Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) is disengaged.
•For more comfortable starting (with
the transmission lever in D (Drive), R
(Continued)
Driving
5
151
(Continued)
(Reverse) or MANUAL and the
Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
engaged), push the brake pedal,
manually deactivate the EPB system
by pulling up the lever on the central
console, and push the accelerator
pedal.
Hill Holder Strategy
The Hill Holder strategy helps the
driver when starting-off on uphill
slopes. It activates only following a
vehicle stop when the brake pedal is
released, keeping the vehicle
stationary for a moment, so as to allow
the driver to move his foot from the
brake to the accelerator pedal. This
strategy is activated on slopes with a
gradient of more than 15°.Stopping the Vehicle
Regardless of the position of the
transmission lever, you must only
depress the brake pedal to stop the
vehicle.
WARNING!
•When the transmission shift lever is
in D (Drive, R (Reverse) or MANUAL
position, the engine idling and the
vehicle on an even surface, if the
brake pedal is not depressed, the
vehicle can move.
•Gearshifting is always active and
may be performed even when one
or more doors, the trunk or the
liftgate are open. Therefore, in these
conditions, take great care to avoid
moving the transmission shift lever
and so accidentally engage gears.
The key can be removed from the
ignition switch only when the
transmission lever is in P (Park)
position and within 30 seconds from
turning the key toSTOP (OFF)position.
The letter "P" (“Key-Lock" safety) is
displayed on the instrument cluster for
this entire time. For further
information see "Normal Starting of
the Engine" in this section.Selecting AUTO or MANUAL Operating
Mode
The transmission can be used both in
fully automatic mode (position "D")
and in sequential manual mode
(positions "+" or "–").
To select the mode, shift the
transmission shift lever to:
"D": automatic gearshifting (AUTO);
"+" or "–": sequential manual
gearshifting (MANUAL).
The transmission shift lever can always
be shifted from one position to the
other, even when the vehicle is
moving.
The transmission shift lever can
continuously be shifted from D (Drive)
to "+" or "–". If automatic
gearshifting has been set, the word
“AUTO” and the letter “D” will be
shown on the instrument cluster
display, while if sequential manual
mode has been set, the word
“MANUAL” and the gear engaged will
be shown on the same display.
Automatic Transmission Range
P (Park)
Use this position to park the vehicle. A
transmission device will lock the
driving wheels.
The transmission can be shifted from P
(Park) position only with the brake
Driving
5
152
pedal pressed. To move the shift lever
from P (Park) position to any other
position, the engine must be switched
on. The engine can be regularly
started in P (Park) range. Never
attempt to use P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion.
When parking on a level surface, you
may place the shift lever in the P
(Park) position first, and then apply
the electronic parking brake by
pulling the trigger upward.
The Instrument cluster will display the
related
light indicator that flashes
until the maximum engagement force
has been reached.
When parking on a hill, apply the
parking brake before placing the shift
lever in P (Park).
For enhanced security, turn the front
wheels toward the kerb on a downhilland away from the kerb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
•Never use the P (Park) position as a
substitute for the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB). Always apply the
parking brake fully when parked to
prevent vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
•Make sure the transmission is in P
(Park) before leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT race the engine when
shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral)
into another gear range, as this can
damage the drivetrain.
• Shift the lever to P (Park) position
only when the vehicle is stationary.
Therefore, it is advisable to perform
this maneuver with the brake pedal
depressed.
• To prevent accidental engagement,
the transmission shift lever can only
be shifted from P (Park) to any other
position when the unlock button on
the transmission shift lever and the
brake pedal are depressed.• Before getting out of the vehicle,
check that the Electric Parking Brake
(EPB) is engaged. Shift the
transmission shift lever to P (Park)
position even when you need to get
out of the vehicle only for a few
seconds, leaving the engine running.
If you turn off the engine with the
transmission shift lever in a position
different from P (Park), an acoustic
signal will sound for a few seconds
and a message will be displayed
indicating to shift the lever to P (Park)
position.
When the driver’s door is opened with
the transmission shift lever in a
position different from P (Park), an
acoustic signal will sound for a few
seconds and a message warning the
driver that the transmission shift lever
is not in P (Park) position will be
displayed.
R (Reverse)
This range is used to move the vehicle
backward.
We recommend to shift into R
(Reverse) only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
• Vehicle halted: switching between P
(Park), R (Reverse) and D (Drive)
requires pressing the unlock button
Driving
5
153
on the lever and brake pedal: N
(Neutral) is reached only by pressing
the unlock button on the lever.
• Vehicle moving: the driver can switch
from R (Reverse) to N (Neutral), or
vice versa, by pressing the unlock
button on the shift lever.
When the transmission shift lever is in
R (Reverse) position, the system emits
an acoustic signal for a few seconds.
You can also shift the transmission
shift lever to R (Reverse) position when
the vehicle is not completely
stationary, however, this does not
mean that reverse gear is actually
engaged, since there is a limit speed
above which the gear may not be
engaged. When the speed goes below
this limit, reverse gear is engaged.
CAUTION!
To prevent accidental engagement,
the transmission shift lever can only be
moved from R (Reverse) to any other
position when the unlock button is
pressed. It is advisable to also depress
the brake pedal when shifting to this
position.
N (Neutral)
This range should be used when you
need to move the vehicle.• Vehicle halted and engine started:
switching from N (Neutral) to R
(Reverse), P (Park) and/or D (Drive)
requires brake pedal and unlock
button pressed.
• Vehicle moving: switching from N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse) and/or D
(Drive) requires pressing the unlock
button. Switching to R (Reverse)
starting from N (Neutral) is only
possible if the vehicle is moving
backward, while switching to D
(Drive) starting from N (Neutral) is
only possible if the vehicle is moving
forward.
Set the parking brake and shift the
transmission into P (Park) if you must
leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not switch to N (Neutral) and/or
never turn off the ignition to coast
downhill. These are unsafe practices
that limit driver’s response to
changing traffic or road conditions. It
is possible to lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, ordriving for any other reason with the
transmission in N (Neutral) can result
in transmission damage. See “Towing a
Disabled Vehicle” in section “In an
Emergency” for further information.
D (Drive)
This range should be used for most city
and highway driving. It provides the
smoothest upshifts and downshifts and
the best fuel economy. The
transmission automatically shifts up
and down through all gears.
When this automatic forward gear is
set, the letter “D” illuminates on the
gear display and on the instrument
cluster.
The D (Drive) position provides
optimum driving characteristics under
all normal operating conditions of the
vehicle.
• Vehicle stationary: switching from D
(Drive) to R (Reverse) and/or to P
(Park) requires brake pedal and
unlock button pressed: reaching N
(Neutral) starting from D (Drive) is
allowed by only pressing the unlock
button on the shift lever.
• To enable special operations while
the car is moving at a low speed,
such as getting out of marsh or snow,
it is possible to run quickly from D
Driving
5
154
the efficiency of engine braking
together with the standard braking
system.
ESC System Operations
In order to prevent unstable driving
conditions, the ESC system may request
the transmission system to deactivate
gearshifting. The system handles this
request depending on the gear
engaged and on the rpm, and decides
whether to accept it or not.
Driving with Cruise Control
With the Cruise Control function
activated, the transmission system
selects such settings as to provide
enhanced comfort and fuel-economy.
MC Start Strategy (for MC version
only)
With the aim of optimizing standing
starts for performance driving (only
recommended for use in areas closed
to traffic and in accordance with the
Highway Code), the automatic
transmission system is equipped with
quick start strategy.
This strategy is activated when the
following conditions occur
simultaneously:
• AUTO and SPORT modes active;
•
ESC mode off;
• brake pedal depressed.In these conditions, the driver has the
possibility to accelerate and, keeping
the brake pedal depressed, keep the
vehicle standing until reaching an
engine speed between 2300 an 2500
rpm. Then, upon releasing the brake
pedal, have the best standing start
performance.
WARNING!
This strategy must only be used on
vehicles in areas closed to traffic, in
accordance with the Highway Code
and only by skilled drivers.
Transmission Malfunction and
Overheating Conditions
Transmission Failure
Transmission function is electronically
monitored to detect abnormal
conditions. If a condition that could
result in transmission damage is
detected, Transmission Limp Home
Mode will be activated. In this
situation, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may
not shift at all.
CAUTION!
In these conditions, we recommendedthat you stop the vehicle and turn off
the engine for at least one minute.
When restarting the engine, the
self-diagnosis system may cancel the
malfunction, which will in any case be
recorded by the ECU.
A message and thewarning light
in the instrument cluster will inform
the driver about the transmission
failure.
In failure conditions, the transmission
shift lever can however be shifted to R
(Reverse), N (Neutral) and D (Drive)
position.
When shifting to D (Drive) position,
only a few gears will be available,
depending on the malfunction found.
CAUTION!
If a transmission failure is signaled,
take your vehicle to the nearest
Authorized Maserati Dealeras soon as
possible to have the problem
corrected.
If the failure is signaled when the
engine is started, it means that the
transmission ECU detected a fault
when the vehicle was last used. Also in
this case, take your vehicle to the
nearest Center of theAuthorized
Driving
5
156
Maserati Dealerto have the
transmission checked.
WARNING!
When the transmission is
malfunctioning, drive very carefully
considering that vehicle performance
is reduced. In addition, the reverse
gear safety lock may not be active:
absolutely do not shift the lever to R
(Reverse) when the vehicle is moving.
Transmission Oil Overtemperature
If the transmission oil temperature
exceeds the operating limit, a message
and the
red warning light
illuminates on the instrument cluster.
In this case, slow down until
temperature returns to normal level
(the light will turn off).
If this is not sufficient, we recommend
to stop the vehicle, shift the lever to
position P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
keep the engine idle until the
red
temperature warning light turns off
and the message disappears from the
display. Resume driving without
demanding high engine performance.
If the
red warning light and the
related message turns on again, it is
advisable to stop the vehicle, turn off
the engine and wait for theengine/transmission assembly to fully
cool down.
Transmission Manual Release of P
(Park) Position
See chapter “Transmission Manual
Release of P (Park) Position” in section
“In an Emergency”.
Onboard Computer (Trip)
The trip computer screen pages are
accessible through the “Trip” softkey
in the lower bar of the MTC+ main
menus.
The selectable submenus are the
following:
• Current Trip.
• Trip A.
• Trip B.
• Service.
Current Trip
In this screen are displayed the range
and the distance of destination for the
current trip.
The unit for these submenus can be
adjusted by the user from MTC+
setting menu (see "MTC+ Settings" in
this section).
Driving
5
157
TripA-TripB
In these screens are displayed the
detailed data on "Trip A" and "Trip B".
These data are also displayed in the
Trip pages of the instrument cluster
(see paragraph "TFT Display: Screen
Pages" of chapter "Instrument
Cluster" of this section).
For each of these submenus the screen
will display the following data:
• Distance traveled.
• Average fuel consumption.
• Average speed.
• Duration.
The unit for these submenus can be
adjusted by the user from MTC+
setting menu (see "MTC+ Settings" in
this section).
In addition to these, there is also the
"reset" softkey to reset the "Trip A"
and/or the "Trip B".
Service
When checking this item, the MTC+
displays mileage and days remaining
before the execution of schedule
maintenance service and warns when
it is expired.For further details, see “Scheduled
Maintenance Service” in section
“Maintenance and Care”.
Driving
5
158