S Position Automatic Shift Mode and Sequential Sportshift Mode
The S position has two shifting modes, the automatic shift mode and the sequential sportshift mode In the S position automatic shift mode, the transmission upshifts and downshifts automatically from 1st through 4th gear, if the paddle shifters are not pressed In the automatic shift mode, the shift indicator and the M indicator in the gauge control module do not come on
When the paddle shifter + (upshift switch) or paddle shifter - (downshift switch) is pressed, the automatic shift mode is canceled and the sequential sportshift mode comes into operation The shift indicator displays the number of the selected gear, and the M indicator comes on In the sequential sportshift mode, the driver can shift up and down manually from 1st through 5th gear by using the paddle shifters, much like a manual transmission The paddle shifters are installed on the back of the steering wheel, and the driver can shift gears by pressing the paddle shifters without taking either hand off the steering wheel
In the sequential sportshift mode, the transmission must be shifted up and down by pressing the paddle shifters However, the transmission will not downshift and stays in the current gear if the paddle shifter - (downshift switch) is pressed while the vehicle is moving at a speed that would cause the engine to over-rev by downshifting the transmission, and the shift indicator blinks the number of the selected gear several times, then returns to the number of the current gear If the vehicle speed reaches an appropriate speed while the shift indicator is blinking the number of the selected gear, the transmission downshifts and the shift indicator displays the selected gear The transmission also will not upshift or stays in the current gear if the paddle shifter + is pressed while driving below an appropriate upshifting speed, the shift indicator blinks the number of the selected gear several times, then returns to the number of the current gear If the vehicle speed reaches an appropriate upshift speed while the shift indicator is blinking the number of the selected gear, the transmission upshifts and the shift indicator displays the selected gear
This mode has automatic downshifting areas so the vehicle can run smoothly with more power to cope with upcoming acceleration When coasting in 5th gear or 4th gear, the transmission downshifts to the next lower gear if the vehicle slows down to the programmed speed, or by pressing the brake pedal
When the transmission decelerates to a stop, the transmission shifts to 1st gear automatically The transmission can be shifted to 2nd gear by pressing the paddle shifter + while the vehicle is stopped, and the vehicle can start off in 2nd gear
The sequential sportshift mode is canceled when moving the shift lever to any position other than S