The AF33-5 is a fully automatic, five speed, electronically controlled, transaxle. It consists primarily of a four-element torque converter, three planetary gear sets, friction and mechanical clutches and a hydraulic pressurization and control system.
The TCM commands shift solenoids, within the transmission, ON and OFF to control shift timing. The TCM controls shift feel through the line pressure control solenoid valve. The TCM also controls the apply and release of the torque converter clutch which allows the engine to deliver the maximum fuel efficiency without sacrificing vehicle performance. The hydraulic system primarily consists of a gear type pump, four control valve bodies, case cover, converter housing and case. The pump maintains the working pressures needed to stroke the servo and clutch pistons that apply or release the friction components. These friction components, when applied or released, support the automatic shifting qualities of the transmission. The friction components used in this transmission consist of seven multiple disc clutches and one band. The multiple disc clutches combine with two mechanical sprag clutches, to deliver six different gear ratios through the gear sets. The gear sets then transfers torque through the front differential assembly and out to the drive axles.
The transmission can be operated in any one of the 5 different ranges.
| • | P - Park position enables the engine to be started while preventing the vehicle from rolling either forward or backward. For safety reasons, the vehicle parking brake should be used in addition to the transmission Park position. Since the front differential assembly and drive axles are mechanically locked to the case through the park pawl and front differential transfer drive gear assembly, Park position should not be selected until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. |
| • | R - Reverse enables the vehicle to be operated in a rearward direction. |
| • | N - Neutral position enables the engine to start and operate without driving the vehicle. If necessary, this position should be selected to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving. |
| • | D - Drive range should be used for all normal driving conditions for maximum efficiency and fuel economy. Drive range allows the transmission to operate in each of the five forward gear ratios. Downshifts to a lower gear, or higher gear ratio are available for safe passing by depressing the accelerator or by manually selecting a lower gear with the shift selector. |
| • | M - This position, available on the models with the Manual Shift Mode (MSM), allows you to change gears similar to a manual transaxle. If your vehicle has this feature, see "Manual Shift Mode (MSM)". |
MANUAL SHIFT MODE (MSM) (Automatic Transaxle)
To use this feature, do the following:
- Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) to the left into the MANUAL SHIFT MODE (M).
- Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.
While driving in manual mode, the transaxle will remain in the driver selected gear. When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehjicle will automatically shift into FIRST (1) gear.
| • | A shift is required to protect the engine or transmission or |
| • | The vehicle slows almost to a stop, and then automatic downshift will occur. |
A box with the current gear will display in the middle of the telltale line below the gear select.
While using the Manual Shift Mode (MSM) feature the vehicle will have firmer shifting and increased performance. You can use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshft for more power or engine braking.
The transaxle will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (RPM):
| • | The transaxle will not downshift to the next lower gear if the engine RPM is too high. |
| • | The transaxle will not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the engine RPM is too high. |
| • | When coming to a stop in the manual mode, the vehicle will automatically downshft to the proper gear based on speed. Upon acceleration you will need to manually upshift to the desired gear. |
SECOND (2) Gear Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift into SECOND (2). A higher gear, and light application of the gas pedal, may allow you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the MANUAL SHIFT MODE, the vehicle can accelerate from a stop in SECOND (2).
- Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) into the MANUAL SHIFT MODE (M) position.
- With the vehicle stopped, press the plus (+) paddle forward to select SECOND (2). The vehicle will start from a stop position in SECOND (2).
- Once the vehicle is moving select the desired drive gear.
