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Home >> Suzuki >> 1987 >> Samurai Base >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 23 (Automatic Transmission) >> General Description >> Transmission General Description >> MANUAL SHIFT MODE (MSM) (Automatic Transaxle)
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MANUAL SHIFT MODE (MSM) (Automatic Transaxle)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Suzuki XL7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

To use this feature, do the following:

  1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) to the left into the MANUAL SHIFT MODE (M).

    While driving in manual mode, the transaxle will remain in the driver selected gear. When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle 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.
  2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.

    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 downshift 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 downshift to the proper gear based on speed. Upon acceleration you will need to manually upshift to the desired gear.