AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Selector lever 1
P: park
R: reverse
N: Neutral
D: automatic mode
M: Manual mode
+: upshifting gear
-: descending gear
The gear currently engaged is displayed on the instrument panel A.
Note: Press button 2 to go from position D or N to R or P.
Operation
With the selection lever 1 in position P, switch on the ignition.
To move out of position P, you must depress the brake pedal before pressing the unlocking button 2.
With your foot on the brake pedal (warning light Ó on the display goes out), move the lever out of position P.
Only engage D or R when the vehicle is stopped, with your foot on the brake and the accelerator pedal released.
Driving in automatic mode
Put lever 1 into position D.
In most road conditions you will encounter, you will not need to touch your lever again: the gears will change automatically at the right time and at the most suitable engine speed because the automatic system takes into account the vehicle load and road contour and adjusts itself to the particular driving style you have chosen.
Economical driving
When driving, always leave the lever in position D, keeping the accelerator pedal lightly depressed to ensure automatic gear changes at a lower engine speed.
Accelerating and overtaking
Depress the accelerator pedal firmly and fully (so that it goes beyond the kickdown point).
This will enable you to change down to the optimum gear within the engine range.
Driving in manual mode
With the selector lever in position D, move the lever to the right into the M position. Shifting the lever repeatedly allows you to change gears manually:
- to move down through the gears, push the lever forwards;
- to move up through the gears, push the lever backwards.
The gear selected is displayed on the instrument panel.
Special cases
In certain driving conditions (resulting in, for example, engine protection, operation of the Electronic Stability Control programme: ESC etc.) the automated system may change the gear automatically. Likewise, to prevent incorrect manoeuvres, a gear change may be refused by the automatic system: in this case the gear display flashes for a few seconds as a warning.
Special circumstances
- If the road type or weather conditions (steep uphill slopes, sudden downhill slopes, deep snow, sand or mud) make it difficult to stay in automatic mode, it is advisable to use manual mode (depending on the vehicle). This will prevent the automatic gearbox from changing gears repeatedly when climbing, and permit engine braking on long descents.
- In cold weather, to prevent the engine from stalling, wait a few seconds before moving the selector lever from position P or N and engaging it in D or R.
When facing uphill, to remain stopped, do not keep your foot on the accelerator.
Risk of overheating the automatic gearbox.
Parking the vehicle
When the vehicle is stopped, move the lever to position P while keeping your foot on the brake pedal: the gearbox is in neutral and the drive wheels are mechanically locked by the driveshaft.
Apply the handbrake or, depending on the vehicle, ensure that the electronic parking brake is applied.
An impact to the underside of the vehicle while manoeuvring (e.g.: striking a post, raised kerb or other street furniture) may result in damage to the vehicle (e.g.: deformation of an axle).
To avoid any risk of accident, have your vehicle checked by an approved Dealer.
Maintenance period
Refer to the maintenance document for your vehicle or consult an Approved Dealer to check whether the automatic gearbox requires scheduled maintenance.
If it does not need to be serviced, there is no need to top up the oil.
For safety reasons, do not switch off the ignition before the vehicle has come to a complete standstill.
Load mode
If the vehicle is being driven with a heavy load, press the 3 switch: depending on the vehicle, the Perfo or Sport warning light will appear 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.
Operating faults
- When driving, if the “WARNING: Check Gearbox” message appears on the instrument panel, it indicates a fault.
Contact your approved Dealer as soon as possible;
- When driving, if the message “WARNING: Gearbox Overheating” appears on the instrument panel, stop as soon as possible to allow the gearbox to cool down and wait for the message to disappear.
- Breakdown of a vehicle with an automatic gearbox TOWING: breakdown recovery.
When setting off, if the lever is stuck in P when you press the brake pedal (e.g. battery fault), it is possible to manually release the lever to unblock the drive wheels. To do this, unclip the base of the gaiter and press the 4 button while simultaneously pressing the 2 button on the lever to unlock the lever and shift to position N.
Contact an authorised dealer as soon as possible.