Operation, AutoShift Transmissions
Automatic and Manual Modes
The SmartShift control lever has a slide switch located on the body of the control lever just before the paddle widens out. See Fig.. The slide switch controls the forward driving mode, automatic (AUTO) or manual (MAN).
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Driving Mode Slide Switch
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Gear Selector Switch
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Neutral Lock Button
Fig. 1, Shift Controls and Indicators, UltraShift PLUS and AutoShift Transmissions
To change mode at any time, move the slide switch in the desired direction. This allows the driver to respond to a wide range of driving conditions, such as blind corners, tight curves, and steep hills.
In either mode, the gear indicator displays the current gear. See Fig..
Note: The gear indicator displays the current gear. In this example, it displays twelfth gear.
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Gear Display
Fig. 2, Gear Indicator: Current Gear
At the start of a shift, the current gear continues to display until the transmission has been pulled into neutral. As the transmission is synchronizing for the new (target) gear, the gear indicator flashes the number of the target gear.
When the shift is complete, the gear indicator displays the new gear, without flashing.
Automatic Mode
In automatic drive mode, upshifts and downshifts require no driver interaction. Press in the neutral lock button, move the gear selector switch to drive (D), depress the clutch to engage the gear selected, release the clutch, and press down on the throttle pedal. The transmission will shift automatically based on vehicle and transmission conditions.
If the vehicle is stopped while in drive, pull up or push down on the SmartShift control lever to change the starting gear.
If driving conditions require, it is possible to request a manual shift. The transmission will make the shift if the engine speed is within 75 rpm of the load-based shift point for that gear.
Manual Mode
In manual drive mode (MAN), upshifts and downshifts are made by the driver. Manual mode should be used whenever you want to select the shifts instead of letting the transmission shift automatically.
To upshift, pull the lever up (towards the driver). To downshift, push the lever down (away from the driver). The system will hold the current gear until the driver requests a shift. In downhill situations in particular, the driver must be alert to vehicle speed by downshifting and/or using the service brakes as needed.
A shift request will be refused if the selected gear would cause engine overspeed or excessive lugging.
If the vehicle is stopped while in drive, pull up or push down on the SmartShift control lever to change the starting gear.