Automatic transmission INVECS-III Sports Mode 6CVT(Intelligent & Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System III)

The INVECS-III uses optimization and adaptation functions to optimally match the gear ratio to driving and road conditions.

The CVT is capable of changing the gear ratio automatically and steplessly to suit driving conditions in all phases of vehicle operation. It therefore realizes smooth, shock-free operation and excellent fuel efficiency.

CAUTION

• Automatic downshifts may not take place while the CVT fluid is still cool immediately after you start driving. To cause a downshift, depress the brake pedal, manually shift down when necessary.

Always strive to drive safely in accordance with road conditions.

Selector lever operation

The CVT selects an optimum gear ratio automatically, depending on the speed of the vehicle and the position of the accelerator pedal.

The selector lever (A) has 2 gates; the main gate (B) and the manual gate (C).

WARNING

• Always depress the brake pedal when shifting the selector lever into the other position from the “P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.

Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.

NOTE

• To avoid erroneous operation, move the selector lever firmly into each position and briefly hold it there. Always check the position shown by the selector lever position display after moving the selector lever.

• If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the shift-lock device activates to prevent the selector lever from being moved from the “P” (PARK) position.

When the selector lever cannot be shifted from the “P” (PARK) position

When the selector lever cannot be shifted from the “P” (PARK) position to another position while the brake pedal is pressed and held down with the ignition switch or the operation mode in ON, the battery may be flat or the shift-lock mechanism may be malfunctioning. Immediately have your vehicle checked by a MITSUBISHI MOTORS Authorized Service Point.

If you need to move the vehicle, shift the selector lever as follows.

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Stop the engine if it is running.
3. Insert a straight blade (or minus) screwdriver with a cloth over its tip into notch (A) of the cover. Pry gently as shown to remove the cover.

4. Depress the brake pedal with the right foot.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position or put the operation mode in ACC.
6. Insert a straight blade (or minus) screwdriver in the shiftlock release hole (B). Shift the selector lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL) position while pressing the straight blade (or minus) screwdriver down.

Selector lever position display

When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position or the operation mode is put in ON, the position of the selector lever is indicated in the multiinformation display.

Selector lever positions (Main gate)

“P” PARK

This position locks the transmission to prevent the vehicle from moving. The engine can be started in this position.

“R” REVERSE

This position is to back up.

CAUTION

• Never shift into the “P” (PARK) or “R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion to avoid a transmission damage.

“N” NEUTRAL

At this position the transmission is disengaged. It is the same as the neutral position on a manual transmission, and should only be used when the vehicle is stationary for an extended length of time during driving, such as in a traffic jam.

WARNING

• Never move the selector lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL) position while driving. A serious accident could occur since you could accidentally move the lever into the “P” (PARK) or “R” (REVERSE) position or you will lose engine braking.

• On a gradient the engine should be started in the “P” (PARK) position, not in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position.

• Always keep your right foot on the brake pedal when shifting into or out of “N” (NEUTRAL), to minimize the risk of loss of control.

“D” DRIVE

This position is for normal driving. The transmission automatically selects a suitable gear ratio for your speed and acceleration.

Engine braking is automatically applied when necessary, depending on road conditions.

CAUTION

• Never shift into the “D” (DRIVE) position from the “R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion to avoid transmission damage.

Sports mode

sports mode is selected by gently pushing the selector lever from the “D” (DRIVE) position into the manual gate (A). To return to “D” range operation, gently push the selector lever back into the main gate (B).

In sports mode, gear ratio shifts can be made rapidly simply by moving the selector lever backward and forward. Shift paddles at the steering wheel can also be used to shift the gear ratio. In contrast to a manual transmission, the sports mode allows gear shifts with the accelerator pedal depressed.

NOTE

• You can shift into sports mode with shift paddles when the selector lever is in the main gate as well. Also, you can return to the “D” range operation in any of following ways.

When returning to “D” range operation, the selector lever position display will change to “D” (DRIVE) position.

• Pull the “+ (SHIFT UP)” side shift paddle forward (towards the driver) for over 2 seconds.
• Stop the vehicle.
• Push the selector lever from the “D” (DRIVE) position into the manual gate (A) and push the selector lever back into the main gate (B).

+ (SHIFT UP)

The transmission shifts up once by each operation.

- (SHIFT DOWN)

The transmission shifts down once by each operation.

CAUTION

• In sports mode, the driver must execute upward shifts in accordance with prevailing road conditions, taking care to keep the engine speed below the red zone.

• Do not use the left- and right-hand shift paddles at the same time. Doing so could cause a shift of gear ratio that you do not expect.

NOTE

• The upward shift may be made automatically in sports mode when the engine revolutions rises and approaches the tachometer’s red zone (the red-coloured part of the tachometer dial).

• In sports mode, only the 6 forward gears can be selected. To reverse or park the vehicle, move the selector lever to the “R” (REVERSE) or “P” (PARK) position as required.

• To maintain good running performance, the transmission may refuse to perform an upshift when the selector lever is moved to the “+ (SHIFT UP)” position at certain vehicle speeds. Also, to prevent over-revving of the engine, the transmission may refuse to perform a downshift when the lever is moved to the “- (SHIFT DOWN)” position at certain vehicle speeds. When this happens, a buzzer sounds to indicate that a downshift is not going to take place.

• In sports mode, downward shifts are made automatically when the vehicle slows down.

When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is automatically selected.

Sports mode display

In sports mode, the currently selected position is displayed on the multi-information display.

When a malfunction occurs in the CVT

When the warning display appears

There could be a system malfunction if the warning display or the warning display is displayed on the information screen in the multi-information display.

CAUTION

• If malfunction occurs in the CVT while driving, the warning display or the warning display will appear on the information screen in the multi-information display.

[When warning display is showing] It may be that there is something unusual happening in the CVT, causing a safety device to activate. We recommend you to have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Operation of the CVT

CAUTION

• Before selecting a position with the engine running and the vehicle stationary, fully depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from creeping.

The engine stops and the brake pedal effort or the steering wheel handling weight increasing could lead to an accident.

• Do not race the engine with brake pedal pressed when the vehicle is stationary.

Also, when you depress the accelerator pedal while holding down the brake pedal with the selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position, the engine revolutions may not rise as high as when performing the same operation with the selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position.

Passing acceleration

To gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) position, push the accelerator to the floor. The CVT will automatically downshift.

NOTE

• In sports mode, downshifts do not take place when the accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor.

Uphill/downhill driving

DRIVING UPHILL

The transmission may not upshift to a higher shift position if the computer determines the current speed cannot be maintained once a higher shift position is engaged.

For smoother vehicle performance, if you release the throttle while climbing a steep grade, the transmission may not upshift.

This is normal, as the computer is temporarily preventing shifting. After reaching the top of the hill, normal shift function will resume.

DRIVING DOWNHILL

When travelling down steep grades, the computer may automatically select a lower shift position.

This function assists engine braking efforts, reducing the need for using the service brakes.

Waiting

For short waiting periods, such as at traffic signals the vehicle can be left in selector lever position and held stationary with the service brake.

For longer waiting periods with the engine running, place the selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and apply the parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary with the service brake.

CAUTION

• Never hold the vehicle stationary while in CVT on a hill with the accelerator, always apply the parking brake and/or service brake.

Parking

To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully engage the parking brake, and then move the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position.

If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, always switch off the engine and carry the key.

NOTE

• On a slope, be sure to apply the parking brake before moving the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position. If you move the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position before applying the parking brake, it may be difficult to disengage the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) position when next you drive the vehicle, requiring application of a strong force to the selector lever to move from the “P” (PARK) position.

When the CVT makes no speed change

If the transmission does not change speeds while driving, or your vehicle does not pick up enough speed when starting on an uphill slope, it may be that there is something unusual happening in the transmission, causing a safety device to activate.

We recommend you to have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.