Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Shift Control - Sequential Sportshift Mode
The RL transmission is provided a sequential sportshift mode in D. In D, the transmission has two shifting modes; the automatic shift mode and the sequential sportshift mode. In the automatic shift mode used for general driving, the transmission upshifts and downshifts automatically from 1st through 5th gear. In the automatic shift mode, the shift indicator and the M indicator in the gauge control module do not come on.
The transmission is switched to the sequential sportshift mode by moving the shift lever into M from D, 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 as well as the shift lever, much like a manual transmission. The paddle shifters are installed on the back of the steering wheel, and the driver can shift gears by pulling 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 using the shift lever or paddle shifters. However, the transmission cannot downshift and stays in the current gear if the shift lever is pulled or the downshift paddle shifter (-, downshift switch) is pulled while the vehicle is coasting 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 cannot upshift and stays in the current gear if the shift lever is pushed or the upshift paddle shifter (+, upshift switch) is pulled 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.
When the transmission decelerates to a stop, the transmission shifts to 1st gear automatically. The transmission can be shifted to 2nd gear by pushing the shift lever or pulling the upshift 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 M.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.