HYBRID TRANSAXLE SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION


    1. The sequential shiftmatic system enables the driver to select 6 stages of engine braking force by operating the shift lever or shift paddle. By controlling the engine, MG1 and MG2, this system improves the generation response of the engine braking force and acceleration response. In addition, a shift range which is lower than NORMAL mode can be selected in SPORT mode, making it possible to obtain a greater engine braking force.

    2. By moving the shift lever to S, the automatic shifting mode will be switched to shift range selecting mode. By operating the shift lever and shift paddle, driving in the shift range selected by the driver is possible, and the accelerator pedal characteristics and acceleration response can be selected.

    3. Performing a "-" (downshift) operation with the shift paddle changes the system to a temporary shift range selecting mode when the shift lever is in D. By operating the shift paddle in the same way as when in S, shift range selection is possible even in D. As a result, the level of engine braking force can be selected by operating the shift paddle without the need to remove hands from the steering wheel while driving.

    4. In shift range selecting mode, when low shift range is selected, the engine braking force becomes greater during deceleration and the motive force between the accelerator intermediate and fully open range becomes greater during acceleration.


      • Shift Range Characteristics
        Low Shift Range The motive force between the accelerator intermediate and fully open range is increased, improving the vehicle response to the driver's operation.
        High Shift Range Motive force changes in accordance with accelerator operation amount changes have been decreased more than normal, enhancing accelerator control and making it easy to maintain the vehicle speed during constant-speed cruising.

        Tech Tips

        The sequential shiftmatic system does not indicate that maximum vehicle speed and maximum motion performance have been improved. Also, when the shift lever is moved to S, accelerator characteristics in drive mode (SPORT*1, SPORT S/S+*2 and ECO) are disabled.

        *1: Models without AVS

        *2: Models with AVS

    5. An S mode position signal is output from the transmission control switch to the hybrid vehicle control ECU when the shift lever is moved from D to S. Then, the system switches to shift range selecting mode in order to enable shift range switching operation using the shift lever and shift paddle.

    6. By performing a "-" (downshift) operation with the shift paddle when driving with the shift lever in D, a shift-down signal is output from the shift paddle switch to the hybrid vehicle control ECU The sequential shiftmatic system switches to the temporary shift range selecting mode, which makes it possible to perform shift range selection even with the shift paddle in D.

    7. In shift range selecting mode, by performing a "+" (upshift) or "-" (downshift) operation using the shift lever and shift paddle, a shift-up signal or shift-down signal is output from the transmission control switch or shift paddle switch to the hybrid vehicle control ECU, and the shift range is changed. While using the selected shift range as the upper limit, an optimal shift point is automatically selected in accordance with driving conditions.


      • B002GZ1C02
        *1

        Combination Meter Assembly


        • Shift Position Indicator

        • Multi Buzzer

        		 *2 ECM
        *3 Hybrid Vehicle Control ECU *4 MG ECU
        *5 Engine *6 Hybrid Transaxle (Hybrid Vehicle Transaxle Assembly)
        *7 Transmission Control Switch *8 Shift Paddle Switch (Transmission Shift Switch Assembly)
        *a Engine Output Control Signal *b Motor Generator Output Control Signal
        *c S Mode Position Signal *d Shift-down Signal
        *e Shift-up Signal *f Shift Pattern

    8. Holding the shift lever to "+" (upshift) in S will change the shift range to the S6 range regardless of the current shift range (S1 to S5).

    9. When downshifting at a low speed, the system may change the shift range by 2 stages or more.

    10. In order to protect the transaxle, when accelerating while any range between the S1 range and the S4 range is selected in shift range selecting mode, sequential upshifts are automatically performed up to the S5 range by exceeding a predetermined vehicle speed in each shift range.

      Limit Speed for Automatic Shift Range Up during Acceleration
      Automatic Shift Range Up during Acceleration Limit Speed (Reference)
      5 → 6 -
      4 → 5 167 km/h (104 mph)
      3 → 4 137 km/h (86 mph)
      2 → 3 92 km/h (58 mph)
      1 → 2 62 km/h (39 mph)

    11. Models with shift paddle, the temporary shift range selecting mode with the shift lever in D is canceled in the following conditions:


      • The "+" (upshift) side shift paddle has been operated for a certain period of time.

      • The accelerator pedal has been depressed and held for a certain period of time in the same shift range.

      • The vehicle has stopped.

      • The shift lever is moved to any position other than D.*

        Tech Tips

        *: When the shift lever is moved to S, the system changes to the S position shift range selecting mode.

    12. Upon receiving a downshifting request issued by the driver through the operation of the shift lever or shift paddle, this system limits the switching of the shift range if the vehicle is being driven at a speed that is higher than the limit speed, and informs the driver by sounding an alarm.


      • Limit Speed for Downshifting
        Downshifting Request Limit Speed (Reference)
        6 → 5 -
        5 → 4 165 km/h (103 mph)
        4 → 3 135 km/h (84 mph)
        3 → 2 91 km/h (57 mph)
        2 → 1 60 km/h (38 mph)