Gear Selector and Mode Selector

Gear selector mechanism and driving mode selector
Gear selector mechanism

The gear selector lever (2) is connected mechanically to the transmission by a control rod (22), which operates the shift valve in the hydraulic system through the gear selector shaft (14), as well as the shift lock on the output shaft.

The gear selector shaft also carries a gear position sensor which transmits a signal to the TCM indicating which gear has been selected. The switch unit also houses the start inhibit and reversing light switches. The leads to and from the switch unit are connected to one of the two 8-pin connectors on the left front side of the transmission.
The gear selector mechanism enables the following gears to be selected:

P Parking position. The output shaft is locked and the car cannot move.
R Reverse
N Neutral. The output shaft is free and the car can move with the engine running, but cannot be driven.
D 'Drive' position. The transmission operates in all available gears in forward travel.
3 Fourth gear is not used in this position.
L 'Low-drive' position. Used, for example, when driving heavily loaded or on steep climbs. Only 1st gear is used in position L.

When shifting down while driving, the transmission first shifts into 2nd and then into 1st when the speed has fallen to 40 km/h (25 mph) [48 km/h (30 mph) in the Sport mode].

Driving mode selector

A driving mode selector (3), which affords a choice of three different driving programs or modes, is located beside the gear selector lever.

Any of the following three modes may be selected depending on the driver's requirements in the prevailing driving conditions:

E (Economy). The TCM selects the gearshifting and lock-up engagement points which afford optimum fuel economy combined with maximum gearshifting comfort.
S (Sport). The TCM selects the gearshifting and lockup engagement points which afford optimum performance.
W (Winter). The program locks the selected gear and permits manual gearshifting. In this mode, the MIL on the combined instrument displays a steady light. Note that the transmission always starts in 3rd gear when the D mode is selected and then changes to 4th. Lock-up is activated.

The transmission locks the gears as follows:

Position D - starts in 3rd, changes to 4th. Lock-up active.
Position 3 - transmission locked in 2nd. Lock-up active.
Position L - transmission locked in 1st. Lock-up inactive.