Road testing

ROAD TESTING

Before road testing, it is necessary to perform some preliminary checks:

• check the transmission oil level;
• check the throttle and gear selector cable adjustment.

After these checks, select a test route which will allow all the following transmission functions to be checked:

• transmission operation;
• kick-down operation;
• engine braking intervention when changing from "D" (Drive) to "L" (Low);
• clutch condition (stall test).

Transmission operation check

To perform this check follow the road test procedure below:

• start the engine, bring it up to operating temperature and perform the following changes: "N"-"R" and "N"-"D". The vehicle must not creep at idle. Engagement of "D" and "R" must be free of jerkiness or noise;
• with the selector lever in "D", perform the following acceleration tests; 25%, 50% 100% of accelerator pedal travel respectively. The transmission should hold low ratio until 50, 80 and 100 km/h respectively. Ratio variation must then occur without vibration, jerkiness or noise.

Kick-Down operation check

To perform this check, follow the procedure below:

• with the selector lever in "D", bring the vehicle up to 90 km/h, then release the accelerator pedal completely: Once the vehicle has decelerated to 80 km/h, fully depress the accelerator pedal (to activate Kick-Down). In these conditions the engine must increase speed to 4600 ± 250 RPM, within two seconds. The ratio variation must be immediate, free from jerkiness and vibration;
• a further check must be made from 120 km/h: fully depress the accelerator pedal, within 2 seconds, the engine must reach 5100 ± 250 RPM.

Engine braking check (on "D" to "L" shift)

To perform this check, follow the procedure below:

• In "D" mode, bring the vehicle up to approximately 110 km/h, then release the accelerator pedal completely. Once the vehicle has decelerated to 100 km/h select "L". Within 2 seconds, the engine must reach 4300 ± 250 RPM. The ratio change must be immediate, free from jerkiness or vibration;
• a further check must be made from 60 km/h: fully depress the accelerator pedal, within 2 seconds the engine speed must rise to 3700 ± 250 RPM.