Honda Civic 1998 Service Manual page 444

Description
(cont'd)
Gear Sel€ction
The shift lever has six positions: E PARK, E REVERSE, E NEUTRAL, E 1st through 4th gear ranges, E 1st through 3rd
gear ranges, P 2nd gear.
Starting is possible only in E and N positions through the use of a slide-type. neutral-safety switch.
Automatic Transaxls lA/T) Gear Position Indicatot
The Ay'T gear position indicator in the instrument panel shows which gear has been selected without having to look down
at the console,
Clutch€s
The four-speed automatic transmission uses hydraulically-actuated
clutches to engage or disengage the transmission gears.
When hydraulic pressure is introduced into the clutch drum, the clutch piston moves. This presses the friction discs and
steel plates together. locking them so they don't slip. Power is then transmitted through the engaged clutch pack to its
hub-mounted gear. Likewise, when the hydraulic pressure is bled from the clutch pack, the piston releases the friction discs
and the steel plates, and they are free to slide past each other. This allows the gear to spin independently on its shaft,
transmitting no power.
.
1st Clutch
The lst clutch engages/disengages
lst gear, and is located at the end of the mainshaft, just behind the right side cover.
The 1st clutch is supplied hydraulic pressure by its ATF feed pipe within the mainshaft,
. 2nd Clutch
The 2nd clutch engages/disengages
2nd gear, and is located at the middle of the mainshaft. The 2nd clutch is joined
back-to-back to the 4th clutch. The 2nd clutch is supplied hydraulic pressure through the mainshaft by a circuit connect-
ed to the internal hydraulic circuit.
. 3rd Cluich
The 3rd clutch engages/disengages
3rd gear, and is located at the end of the countershaft. The 3rd clutch is supplied
hydraulic pressure by its ATF feed pipe within the countershaft.
. 4th Clutch
The 4th clutch engages/disengages
4th gear, as well as reverse gear, and is located at the middle of the mainshaft. The
4th clutch is joined back-to-back to the 2nd clutch. The 4th clutch is supplied hydrauiic pressure by its ATF feed pipe
within the mainshaft.
14-4
Position Description
E PARK
E REVERSE
E N E U T R A L
E] DRIVE
(1st through 4thl
E D R I V E
(1st through 3rd)
E S E c o N D
Front wheels locked; parking brake pawl engaged with parking gear on countershaft. All clutches
reteaseq,
Reverse; reverse selector engaged with countershaft.everse gear and 4th clutch locked.
All clutches released.
General driving; stans off in 1st, shifts automatically to 2nd.3rd, then 4th, depending on vehicle
speed and throttle position. Downshift through 3rd, 2nd and 1st on deceleration to stop. The Iock-up
mechanism comes into operation in E position in 3rd and 4th gear.
Use for rapid acceleration at highway speeds and general driving; up-hill and down-hill driving; starts
off in 1st, shifts automatically to 2nd, then 3rd, depending on vehicle speed and throttle position.
Downshifts through 2nd to 1st on deceleration to stop. The lock-up mechanism comes into operation
in 3rd gear.
Use for engine braking or better traction starting off on loose or slippery surfaces; stays in 2nd
gear, does not shift up and down,
I