Shift Pattern Selection
SHIFT PATTERN SELECTION1. SI-DRIVE CONTROL
By changing the SI-DRIVE mode switch while driving in D range, shift control can be switched among three types according to each engine characteristics.
1. I mode
When I mode engine characteristics is employed, shifting is performed at the optimum point to realize low fuel consumption. Compared to S and S# mode, slip lock-up range and full lock-up range are expanded.
2. S mode
When S mode engine characteristics is employed, shifting characteristics is applied so that linear acceleration can be obtained and the acceleration is even in any vehicle speed range.
3. S# mode
When S# mode engine characteristics is employed, shift timing is intended for higher speed than that of S mode and is set so that full engine performance can be obtained to provide driving with great response. In addition, adaptive control is operated more actively compared to I mode or S mode to realize sportier driving performance.
2. MANUAL MODE CONTROL
By operating the manual mode switch to ON (tilting the shift lever to the left) in D range, the mode shifts to the manual mode and the combination meter indicates the current gear range and permission for upshift and downshift.
[+] operation of shift lever or paddle causes upshift and [-] operation causes downshift; and the shift is held in the selected gear range while driving.
- Upshift prohibition and auto downshift control
"/\" mark next to the SPORT indicator indicates permission for upshift, with which upshift occurs by each [+] operation. However, when the current vehicle speed is too low for higher gear range, "/\" mark lights off, prohibiting further upshift.
If the vehicle speed level becomes too low for the current gear range, the gear automatically shifts down to prevent engine stall. When the vehicle stops, the gear always downshifts to 1st except when the vehicle is in the 2nd hold control mode.
- Downshift prohibition control
"\/" mark next to the SPORT indicator indicates permission for downshift, with which downshift occurs by each [ ] operation. However, when the current vehicle speed is too high for lower gear range, "\/" mark lights off, prohibiting further downshift. In this case, if downshift operation occurs, the alarm beeps to warn the driver.
When ATF oil temperature is extremely low, for instance, immediately after engine start in winter, upshift to 5th is prohibited to promote warm-up.
- Engine over speed preventive control If the engine speed exceeds the specified level during acceleration in manual mode, the gear automatically shifts up to prevent engine over speed.
3. 2nd HOLD CONTROL (IN MANUAL MODE)
Starting vehicle with 2nd gear on slippery road surface has been enabled.
This condition continues unless
1. the manual mode is off,
2. [+] or [-] switch is operated again, or
3. engine over speed preventive control is operated, and 2nd gear is maintained while vehicle is stopped.
4. SEMI SPORT SHIFT CONTROL (MODELS WITH PADDLE SHIFT)
Operation of [+] and [-] switches on the paddle in D range can temporarily shift the mode to manual mode, enabling gear shifting with manual operation using paddles. This mode is cancelled under the specified conditions such as linear acceleration status, and the vehicle is automatically returns to D range automatic shifting mode. When ATF oil temperature is extremely high, the semi manual mode is prohibited.
5. BLIPPING CONTROL
Under the manual mode or semi SPORT shift mode control, if the gear is shifted down manually at a certain vehicle speed or higher with fully closed accelerator, engine speed automatically increases to be close to the level after shifting, which improves shifting response and shifting quality.
6. ADAPTIVE CONTROL
- Uphill/downhill control
Based on the vehicle speed and accelerator opening angle, excess driving force is judged from engine output and acceleration while the road gradient is estimated, in order to select optimum gear range as needed and reduce unnecessary shifting.
- Control during sudden release of accelerator pedal
When accelerator pedal is suddenly released, TCM judges the driver's intention for deceleration and temporarily prohibits shift-up to hold the current gear position in order to ensure engine brake operation.
- Control during braking
Operation frequency of this function in S# mode is higher than that in S mode.
The gear range is held (restraining upshift) or shifted down depending on the driving condition and braking force (deceleration), in order to ensure engine brake operation and driving force for re-acceleration.
- Control during cornering
Operation frequency of this function is as follows: S# > S > I.
Based on the cornering driving judgement from the driving condition and vehicle acceleration (longitudinal and lateral acceleration), unnecessary shift-up is restrained to ensure stable driving force and turning performance.
7. VARIOUS INDICATORS ILLUMINATION CONTROL
Illumination of indicators on the combination meter are controlled as shown below according to shift pattern change.
