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SEQUENTIAL gearbox

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SEQUENTIAL gearbox

WARNING
Like a vehicle with a manual gearbox, a vehicle with a sequential gearbox is unable to avoid rolling on a slope unless the handbrake is applied or the brake pedal constantly depressed.

Selector lever 1

  • This allows you to shift directly from first gear to reverse gear, to select reverse gear and neutral and to change gears in manual mode.
  • It also allows you to switch between manual and automatic modes at any time, with the ignition 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 (N), or reverse gear (R) is indicated on the instrument panel display. In automatic mode, (D) is displayed, followed by the gear engaged (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 the 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 along with the warning light 4; press the brake pedal and set the lever to position N. Start the engine.
Note: do not attempt to start the engine by pushing the vehicle if the battery is discharged (the display remains off when the ignition is switched on).

Starting

Moving forwards (starting in neutral)
The gear display indicates 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. The 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 press the brake pedal in order to engage or disengage a gear. Otherwise, the warning light 4 will appear.

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 (unless this causes low engine speeds). 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: the neutral position may only be selected when the vehicle is being driven or when stationary while the brake pedal is pressed (if you forget, the warning light 4 will appear).
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).
Tip
The oil level in the automatic gearbox system reservoir varies depending on use. Adding oil is strictly forbidden (except by qualified approved network personnel).
Note: automatic mode takes into account:
  • the position and speed at which the accelerator pedal is pressed, to assess the 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 pressing the brake pedal; there is no need to change to neutral (N).
The vehicle will move off again:
  • either slowly, if you simply 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 press 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 kick-down 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 while keeping your foot on the brake;
  • check that a gear other than N is displayed on the instrument panel and 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.

Bleep

  • If you hold the vehicle on a slope for too long without applying the brakes or handbrake you will strain the system and there is a risk that the clutch will overheat.
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

When driving on slippery or low-grip roads, to avoid slipping at start-up, it is advisable to switch to manual mode (D/M) and select the second gear before accelerating.
In very cold weather, to ensure optimal passage through the gears, wait a few seconds before shifting the selector lever out of position N and engaging the lever in D or R.

Operating faults

If this warning light appears during driving, this indicates a system fault. 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;
  • with your foot on the pedal, select Neutral;
  • 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 driving with a loaded vehicle, press the switch 5: the appears on the instrument panel.
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.