Manual Selector Lever Position L
In manual selector lever position L, the transaxle provides more engine breaking when the accelerator pedal is released than in D.
If the manual selector lever is moved to position L at an excessive vehicle speed for 1st gear, the transmission control only allows the downshift to take place when the corresponding vehicle speed has been reached.
The torque converter transmits engine torque hydraulically to the transmission input shaft.
The stator boosts the torque to the input shaft (approximately 85 percent difference in speed between the impeller and the turbine).
The stator is made of synthetic resin to reduce weight.
To increase the efficiency of the automatic transmission, the torque converter has an apply clutch. When the torque converter clutch is applied, the torque is transmitted directly from the crankshaft through the torque converter housing to the transmission input shaft.
The torque converter clutch is applied hydraulically by the transmission control module (TCM) by means of the solenoid valves in the valve body in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears. Apply is dependent on the throttle position, vehicle speed and manual selector lever position.
The valve body contains 8 solenoid valves:
- Three pulse width modulation (PWM) solenoid valves.
- Three shift solenoid (on/off) valves.
- Two main regulating valve pressure control solenoids.
The individual clutches and bands are supplied pressure from the PWM solenoid valves and the shift solenoid (on/off) valves and thus the gears are shifted.
The PWM solenoid valves allow direct actuation of the clutches and bands to make sure of extremely smooth gear shifting through precise pressure regulation.
The shift solenoid (on/off) valves switch the hydraulic path to the clutches and bands, reducing the number of required modulating valves.
The main regulating valve (variable force solenoid) makes sure that sufficient hydraulic pressure is available in all operating conditions.