Manual Mode Shifting Operation
Electronic Range Select Mode
Electronic Range Select Mode, also known as Manual Mode, allows for the range of gear positions. This mode allows the driver to choose the top gear limit of the transmission and is useful when driving downhill or towing a trailer to limit the top gear and vehicle speed.
To use this feature:
- Move the shift lever to L (Low) for Manual Mode.
- Press the Plus (+) or Minus (-) on the shift lever to increase or decrease the gear range available.
When you shift from Drive (D) to L, the transmission will shift to a pre-determined lower gear range. The highest gear range available for this pre-determined range is displayed next to L or M in the Driver Information Center (DIC). The number displayed in the DIC is the highest gear that the transmission will be allowed to operate in. This means that all gears below that number are available. For example, when 4 is shown next to the L, first (1) through fourth (4) gears are automatically shifted by the transmission. The transmission will not shift into fifth (5) until the plus (+) is pressed or the S3 transmission shift lever is moved back into Drive (D).
While in manual mode, the K71 Transmission Control Module will prevent shifting to a lower gear range if the engine speed is too high. The driver has a brief period of time to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is not sufficiently reduced within the time allowed, the lower gear range shift will not be completed. You must further slow the vehicle, then press the minus (-) button to the desired lower gear range.