Transmission External Controls - Aisin AW21 / 6F35
External Controls
The transaxle selector lever control linkage consists of:
- a selector lever cable that connects the transaxle range selector lever to the selector lever assembly.
- a Brake Shift Interlock Actuator (BSIA) that is integral to the selector lever assembly.
The selector lever assembly:
- locks the transaxle range selector lever in the PARK position when the ignition switch is in the lock position.
- requires the transaxle range selector lever to be in the PARK position to turn the ignition switch to the lock position.
Vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine have a Transmission Control Switch (TCS) which is a momentary contact switch located on the selector lever knob that allows the driver to cancel the operation of Overdrive (O/D) and provides grade assist.
Grade Assist
- Improves vehicle handling in hilly terrain or mountainous areas by providing additional engine braking and extends lower gear operation on uphill climbs.
- Additional engine braking is provided through the automatic transaxle shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs including vehicle acceleration, accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed.
- The transaxle will select gears that will provide the engine braking desired, based on the vehicle inputs, this will increase engine rpm during engine braking.
It is recommended to return to DRIVE mode on flat terrain to provide the best fuel economy and transaxle function. The transaxle returns to O/D and grade assist is cancelled when the TCS is pressed again.
Range Selection
This transaxle has 5 fixed range positions: P, R, N, D, M and 2 spring-loaded manual positions (-) and (+).
Park
In the P position:
- the transaxle is locked and prevents the wheels from turning.
- there is no powerflow through the transaxle.
- the parking pawl locks the final drive.
- the engine may be started.
- the ignition key may be removed.
Reverse
In the R position:
- the vehicle may be operated in a backward direction, at a reduced gear ratio.
- engine braking will occur.
Neutral
In the N position:
- the vehicle is able to roll.
- there is no powerflow through the transaxle.
- the output shaft is not held and is free to turn.
- the engine may be started.
Drive
D is the normal position for most forward driving.
D provides:
- automatic shifts - 1st through 6th gears, which includes O/D.
- apply and release of the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC).
- maximum fuel economy during normal operation.
Manual
In the M position:
- O/D is cancelled.
- the 6F35 transaxle operates in gears 1st through 5th and the Aisin AW21 operates in gears 1st through 4th.
- the message center will show D and the grade assist lamp will illuminate.
- grade assist is activated.
- some engine braking may occur.
Select Shift Transmission Selector Lever
The select shift transmission selector lever gives the driver the ability to change gears up or down manually as desired.
- M +
- O/D can be selected.
- The grade assist lamp illuminates on the instrument cluster.
- Moving the selector lever to the forward (-) or backward (+) position will allow the transmission to utilize the Manual Mode for select shifting.
- Moving the spring-loaded selector lever forward into (-) in the gate and releasing the selector lever, the selector lever will return to the M position and the transmission will down shift.
- Moving the spring loaded selector lever backward into (+) in the gate and releasing the selector lever, the selector lever will return to the M position and the transmission will up shift.
When selecting the appropriate gear in select shift transmission mode, the message center will display the current selected gear.
The select shift transmission will make some shifts automatically, primarily to protect the engine from stalling.
The transmission will not up shift if the redline is approached and must be shifted manually by moving the selector lever back into (+) and releasing.
Gear Availability
