Honda 2000 RL Owner's Manual page 185

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Automatic Transmission
Drive (D ) — Use this position for
4
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear for your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shifting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up faster.
Drive (D ) —This position is similar
3
to D , except only the first three
4
gears are selected. Use D
towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to
provide engine braking when going
down a steep hill. D can also keep
3
the transmission from cycling
between third and fourth gears in
stop-and-go driving.
For faster acceleration when in D
D , you can get the transmission to
4
automatically downshift by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shift down one
or two gears, depending on your
speed.
Driving
Second (2) — This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshift to first gear
when you come to a stop. Second
gives you more power when climbing,
and increased engine braking when
going down steep hills. Use second
gear when starting out on a slippery
surface or in deep snow. It will help
reduce wheelspin.
First (1) — To shift from Second to
when
3
First, push down on the shift lever.
With the lever in this position, the
transmission locks in First gear. By
upshifting and downshifting through
1, 2, D and D
3
transmission much like a manual
transmission without a clutch pedal.
or
3
, you can operate this
4
Engine Speed Limiter
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may feel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.