3. Chassis
26
3.6 Automatic transmission
*
As an option, your motor home can be equipped with an au-
tomatic transmission (Comfort-Matic) which has two methods
of operation: MANUAL/gearshift and AUTO(MATIC). Since
the clutch is engaged and released by means of an electro-
hydraulic unit that is controlled by the transmission‘s control
unit, the clutch pedal is superfluous and, therefore, it has been
removed. Both the selected method of operation as well as the
gear you are driving in are shown on the multifunction display
panel.
FIAT Comfort-Matic
The gearshift lever on the dashboard has three fixed positions:
− the centre position for selecting the forward gear,
− N for selecting the neutral position (engine is idle),
− R for selecting the reverse gear.
Starting from the centre position, which corresponds to the
forward gear, the lever can be moved as follows:
− forwards (- position) to select a lower gear (i.e. shifting
down),
− backwards (+ position) to select a higher gear,
− to the left (A/M position) to select automatic or manual
mode, alternatively.
These three positions are not fixed, i.e. after the lever has been
moved it jumps back to the centre position.
Manual operation
This method of operation allows the driver to select a suitable
gear according to the conditions under which the vehicle is
being driven. Switch gears as follows:
• Move the lever in the direction of (+) to shift up or in the
direction of (-) to shift down. Do not let go of the gas pedal
while you are shifting gears.
The system will only allow you to shift when such an action
will not prevent the motor or the transmission from functioning
correctly. As soon as the motor reaches idle speed, the system
will automatically shift down (e.g. when braking).
Automatic operation
The lever must be pressed in the direction of A/M in order to
switch automatic operation on or off. The system automatically
shifts gears on the basis of the vehicle‘s speed, the engine rpm
and the position of the gas pedal. If necessary, the system will
shift down one or more gears when you press the gas pedal to
the floorboard. This will provide you with the required perfor
-
mance and torque to achieve the acceleration you require.