neutral control - bva

Neutral Control 
Neutral control is when the transmission control moduleTCM disengages the forward clutch, (C1), at a stop with the brake applied. This reduces the load on the engine, therefore reducing engine vibration and improving fuel economy. When the brake is released the forward clutch engages. The following conditions must be met before the neutral control function will be allowed:
• Manual shifter must be in D, 4 or 3. Neutral control will not work in winter mode.
• Transmission oil temperature must be above 10°C.
• Throttle position must be less than 3%.
• Brake pedal must be depressed.
• Vehicle speed must be zero Km/h.
• Engine speed must be less than 1500 RPM.
• There is a 2 second delay once the vehicle has stopped in the D position and a 5 second delay when shifted from N to D.

Aceasta facilitate este automata. Nu trebuie sa selectezi nimic. TCM-ul (calculatorul cutiei) face asta automat. Pur si simplu se simte ca, in conditiile in care masina s-a oprit si mentii piciorul apasat pe frana, tractiunea de la roti se decupleaza. Si poti s-o tii asa in D cu frana apasata cat vrei tu.

Calculatorul cutiei are o multitudine de programe si strategii (unele de care nici nu ne dam seama in timpul mersului). In functie de programul selectat de calculator (TCM) schimbarile treptelor sunt diferite, de aceea ni se pare ca uneori cutia schimba vitezele altfel decat eram noi obisnuiti. Asta pe langa facilitatea de "autoadaptare" adica invatarea modului personal in care fiecare conduce masina.

Fara a avea pretentia ca programele urmatoare se aplica oricarei CVA, redau un extras din manualul masinii mele referitor la programele cutiei de viteza:

Economy Mode – This mode is used by TCM under normal acceleration. The TCM provides the earliest possible upshifts and lockup for best economy. The TCM adjusts oil pressure to provide smooth shifts and engagements.

Sport Mode – The TCM changes from economy to sport mode if the accelerator pedal is pressed down quickly and the vehicle exceeds 50 km/h. In sports mode the shift points are raised to provide the best performance and down shifting occurs at lower engine RPM. When the accelerator pedal is moved less quickly, the TCM resumes economy mode automatically.

Kick down – When maximum acceleration is required (e.g. during overtaking), if the accelerator is rapidly and fully depressed, lower gears are automatically engaged, provided the engine rpm enable this operation. Later, when the accelerator pedal is released, the gear engaged is selected according to the type of driving and the position of the accelerator. Kick-down can be engaged only when the gear lever is at D.

Downhill Mode – When the throttle angle is less than 3% and the vehicle speed is increasing, the computer will command higher shift speeds to provide more engine braking.

Uphill Mode – When engine load is high and vehicle speed is decreasing, the computer will command higher shift speeds.

Traffic Jam Mode – When the vehicle stops and starts with less than 10% throttle angle, the computer commands 2nd gear starts to increase fuel economy and reduce shift busyness. Normal mode resumes when the throttle angle is greater than 30% or vehicle speed is greater than 30 km/h.

Curve - TCM is able to recognize particular situations like a curve, detected as a different speed of front wheel instant rotation through the ABS active sensors, thus preventing shifting to the higher gear until the engine revolution limit is reached. Only with this condition or at the end of the curve will it be possible to shift gear. This strategy is useful to improve the car balance and to guarantee a prompt acceleration when coming out of the curve, since the car has already the right gear engaged. Likely, during sudden braking, the lower gear is engaged to exploit the engine braking action at best. In case of a curve, the new gear will be engaged during slowing down before the curve, therefore when coming out of the curve it will not be necessary to shift gear to accelerate.

Winter Mode –When starting to drive with a reduced road grip (snow-covered, icy road, etc.), the shift control unit automatically engage the “ICE” programme. This programme allows starting with the 2nd gear engaged, in order to improve the gear shift efficiency according to grip conditions.

Catalytic Converter Start – This function helps the engine to reach operating temperature by preventing converter lockup and delaying the 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts when the engine is cold. This is a normal function.

Cold Mode – When the engine coolant temperature is less than 50°C, the shifts will occur at a higher speed.

Hot Mode – When the transmission oil temperature reaches 140°C, the computer applies the converter clutch at lower than normal speeds and raises the shift points to a high speed. When the transmission oil temperature drops below 132°C, normal mode will resume.

High Altitude Mode – When the barometric pressure is less than 12.76, the computer will command higher shift speeds.

Protection Mode – This mode is like failsafe or limp-in mode in other vehicles. When the protection mode is tripped by a code you will have 5th gear in drive and intermediate. When in manual low you will have 2nd gear. Cycling the ignition will give you normal mode again until the code is set again.