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49 C.F.R. § 571.102   Standard No. 102; Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect.

Title 49 - Transportation

Title 49: Transportation
PART 571—FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
Subpart B—Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

§ 571.102   Standard No. 102; Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect.

Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 38051, July 1, 2005.

This amendment was delayed until Sept. 1, 2007 at 70 FR 75961, Dec. 22, 2005.

Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 75965, Dec. 22, 2005.

S1. Purpose and scope. This standard specifies the requirements for the transmission shift lever sequence, a starter interlock, and for a braking effect of automatic transmissions, to reduce the likelihood of shifting errors, starter engagement with vehicle in drive position, and to provide supplemental braking at speeds below 40 kilometers per hour.

S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses.

S3. Requirements.

S3.1  Automatic transmissions.

S3.1.1  Location of transmission shift lever positions on passenger cars. A neutral position shall be located between forward drive and reverse drive positions. If a steering-column-mounted transmission shift lever is used, movement from neutral position to forward drive position shall be clockwise. If the transmission shift lever sequence includes a park position, it shall be located at the end, adjacent to the reverse drive position.

S3.1.2  Transmission braking effect. In vehicles having more than one forward transmission gear ratio, one forward drive position shall provide a greater degree of engine braking than the highest speed transmission ratio at vehicle speeds below 40 kilometers per hour.

S3.1.3  Starter interlock. The engine starter shall be inoperative when the transmission shift lever is in a forward or reverse drive position.

S3.1.4  Identification of shift lever positions.

S3.1.4.1  Except as specified in S3.1.4.3, if the transmission shift lever sequence includes a park position, identification of shift lever positions, including the positions in relation to each other and the position selected, shall be displayed in view of the driver whenever any of the following conditions exist:

(a) The ignition is in a position where the transmission can be shifted.

(b) The transmission is not in park.

S3.1.4.2  Except as specified in S3.1.4.3, if the transmission shift lever sequence does not include a park position, identification of shift lever positions, including the positions in relation to each other and the position selected, shall be displayed in view of the driver whenever the ignition is in a position in which the engine is capable of operation.

S3.1.4.3  Such information need not be displayed when the ignition is in a position that is used only to start the vehicle.

S3.1.4.4  Effective September 23, 1991, all of the information required to be displayed by S3.1.4.1 or S3.1.4.2 shall be displayed in view of the driver in a single location. At the option of the manufacturer, redundant displays providing some or all of the information may be provided.

S3.2  Manual transmissions. Identification of the shift lever pattern of manual transmissions, except three forward speed manual transmissions having the standard “H” pattern, shall be displayed in view of the driver at all times when a driver is present in the driver's seating position.

[36 FR 22902, Dec. 2, 1971, as amended at 54 FR 29045, July 11, 1989; 56 FR 12471, Mar. 26, 1991; 60 FR 13642, March 14, 1995]