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SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX

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Selector lever 1

- This allows you to shift directly from first gear to reverse gear, to select reverse gear and neutral and to change gear in manual mode.

- It also allows you to switch between manual and automatic modes at any time, with the engine switched on and reverse gear engaged, by moving the lever to the left.

Note: the selector lever automatically returns to the centre position after each use.

Display

2 Gear display

The gear engaged in manual mode (M1, M2, M6), neutral gear (N), or the reverse gear (R) is shown on the instrument panel display. In automatic mode, (D) is displayed followed by the gear selected (D1, D2, D6).

3 Load mode

4 Brake pedal depressed warning light

Operation

Switch on the ignition.

The display on the instrument panel switches on.

If neutral (N) is displayed and is accompanied (depending on the vehicle), by the 4 warning light; press the brake pedal and start the engine but do not accelerate.

If a gear other than neutral is engaged, N flashes on the display accompanied by the 4 warning light; press the brake pedal and place the lever in position N. Start the engine.

Note: do not attempt to start the engine by pushing the vehicle if the battery is flat (the display remains off when the ignition is switched on).

Starting

Moving forwards (starting in neutral)

The display indicates gears N and D.

- Brake pedal depressed. Push the selection lever forward and release it.

- Release the brake pedal and accelerate gently to move forwards.

Reverse gear (vehicle stationary)

- Brake pedal depressed. Push the selection lever towards the right and to the rear as shown on the base of the lever, and then release it. Reverse gear is engaged and the letter R appears on the display.

- Release the brake pedal:

- the engine’s idle speed is sufficient for parking manoeuvres;

- accelerate gently to reverse.

You may shift from reverse gear to a forwards gear by pushing the lever forwards once the vehicle is stationary.

Note: when the vehicle is stationary, you must depress the brake pedal to engage or disengage a gear. Otherwise, warning light 4 will come on.

Exactly like a vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox, a vehicle equipped with a sequential gearbox is unable to prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope if the handbrake is not applied or the brake pedal constantly depressed.

Gear shift pattern

(see the marking on the lever base)

+ : to move up through the gears

- : to move down through the gears

N : neutral

R : Reverse

: only stable position of the lever

D/M : to switch from automatic mode to manual mode and vice versa

Operation in semiautomatic mode (manual)

This mode can be activated at any time when driving by pushing the lever to the left. The mode is switched without shifting up a gear.

You can initiate gear changes using the selector lever.

To shift up a gear, push the selector lever forwards; the accelerator pedal does not have to be lifted.

To shift down a gear, push the selector lever backwards; the accelerator pedal does not have to be lifted.

The system will not tolerate a series of up or down changes that cause the engine to underrev or overrev.

By pushing the lever forwards twice you can move up two gears at a time (except if underrevving). By pushing the lever backwards twice you can move down two gears at a time (unless this causes overrevving).

When decelerating with the foot off the pedal, the gears will automatically drop to the low engine speed limit to avoid stalling. First gear automatically shifts below a certain speed limit. You can stop the vehicle at red lights or junctions etc. by depressing the brake pedal; there is no need to change to neutral (N).

The vehicle will move off again:

- either slowly, if you release the brake without accelerating (e.g. when in a traffic jam);

- or quickly, if you release the brake and accelerate.

Note: neutral may only be selected when the vehicle is being driven or is stationary when the brake pedal is depressed (if you forget, warning light 4 will come on).

Push the gear selector lever to the right to engage neutral.

If the engine speed is too high or too low, the system will choose the optimum gear.

Semiautomatic mode can be deactivated and reactivated at any time when the engine is running by pushing the lever to the left.

Operation in automatic mode

Automatic mode is selected by default every time the ignition is switched on.

The letter D appears on the display. The vehicle is controlled using the accelerator and the brake. Gears will change automatically at the correct moment and at a suitable engine speed because the automatic mode takes the road surface and the chosen driving style into consideration.

Gears may be shifted manually in this mode. Pushing the lever forwards or backwards shifts a gear upwards (except if there is a risk of underrevving) or downwards (except if there is a risk of overrevving).

Note: automatic mode takes account of:

- the position and speed of depression of the accelerator pedal to assess driving style and select the optimum gear;

- action on the brake pedal, to commence engine braking in preparation for a downshift.

You can stop the vehicle at red lights, with the gear engaged, by depressing the brake pedal; there is no need to change to neutral (N).

The vehicle will move off again:

- either slowly, if you release the brake without accelerating (e.g. when in a traffic jam);

- or quickly, if you release the brake and accelerate.

Accelerating and overtaking

- Slowly depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate gradually;

- to obtain maximum vehicle performance regardless of the mode selected (automatic or manual), quickly depress the accelerator pedal beyond the kickdown point.

The speed with which you depress the pedal will allow you to downshift according to the vehicle’s capabilities.

Parking the vehicle

It is possible to park in gear (for example, on a slope):

- with the ignition on, select a gear with your foot on the brake;

- check that a gear other than N is displayed on the instrument panel, then remove the ignition key;

- apply the handbrake.

To disengage the gear, switch on the ignition without starting the engine and shift the selector lever to neutral with the brake pedal depressed. Check that N is displayed on the instrument panel.

The oil level in the automatic gearbox system reservoir varies depending on use. Adding oil is strictly forbidden (except by qualified approved network personnel).

Bleep

- If you hold the vehicle on a slope for too long without applying the brakes or handbrake, you will strain the system (risk of overheating the clutch).

In this case, an intermittent beeping sound will remind you that you should put your foot on the brake pedal or apply the handbrake.

- Never leave the vehicle with the engine running when in gear. For safety reasons you will hear an intermittent beeping sound when you open the door if you have not shifted into neutral or you have not switched off the ignition or depressed the brake pedal.

Special circumstances

On a slippery surface or surface with little grip, change to manual mode (D/M) and select second gear before accelerating to avoid wheelspin.

In very cold weather, to ensure optimal passage through the gears, wait a few seconds before moving the selector lever out of position N and into position Dor R.

Operating faults

i If this warning light comes on when the vehicle is being driven, it indicates a fault in the system. In most cases, you may still drive the vehicle, although it will not function perfectly. Contact an approved dealer as soon as possible.

Towing a vehicle with a sequential gearbox

If the gearbox is stuck in a gear:

- switch on the ignition;

- Select neutral with the brake pedal depressed;

- check that the gearbox is in neutral (by pushing the vehicle for example).

If you cannot find neutral you must tow the vehicle with the front wheels raised.

The vehicle should always be towed with the ignition switched off.

Load position

When the vehicle is driven loaded, press the 5 switch on the dashboard. The indicator light § on the instrument panel will light up.

Load mode is deselected every time the engine is switched off. It will be necessary to select it again.

Load mode may be used to equal effect in both automatic and manual modes.