The electronic control system consists of the powertrain control module (PCM), sensors, and solenoid valves. Shifting and lock-up are electronically controlled for comfortable driving under all conditions. The PCM is located in the engine compartment.
The PCM receives input signals from the sensors and other control units, processes data, and outputs signals for engine control system and CVT control system. The CVT control system includes shift control, pulley pressure control, clutch pressure control, lock-up control, transmission fluid pump pressure control, and indicator control. The PCM switches the shift solenoid valves and the CVT pulley control solenoid valves to control shifting position/mode and speed stage, and lock-up torque converter clutch.

The shift control includes the automatic shifting in D and S, the grade logic control that performs the uphill and downhill control during the automatic shifting in D and S, and the shift hold control while driving on a winding road.

The grade logic control system has been adopted to control shifting in D and S. The PCM compares actual driving conditions with memorized driving conditions, based on the input from the CVT drive pulley speed sensor, the CVT speed sensor, the transmission range switch, the accelerator pedal position sensor, the throttle position sensor, the engine coolant temperature sensor, the transmission fluid temperature sensor, and the brake pedal position switch signals, to control shifting while the vehicle is ascending or descending a slope.

When the PCM determines that the vehicle is climbing a hill in D and S, the system selects the most suitable shift schedule according to the magnitude of a gradient, so the vehicle can run smooth and have more power when needed.

When the PCM determines that the vehicle is going down a hill in D and S, the system selects the most suitable shift schedule according to the magnitude of a gradient, so the vehicle can run smooth in combination with engine braking.

When the transmission is switched into the D-paddle shift mode by pulling steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters while driving in the D position/mode, the transmission can shift into a lower speed stage by pulling the paddle shifter ? (downshift switch), and it can shift into a higher speed stage by pulling the paddle shifter ? (upshift switch). When the transmission shifts into a lower or a higher speed stage by pulling the paddle shifters, the shift indicator in the gauge control module displays the number of currently-selected stage. This number of the speed stage goes off when the transmission downshifts automatically, or when the transmission upshifts automatically while coasting.

The S position/mode has two shifting modes; the sport driving mode and the 7-speed manual shift mode. In the S position/mode sport driving mode, the transmission automatically adjusts to keep the engine at a higher rpm than D position/mode setting, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are ready to be activated to switch to the 7-speed manual shift mode. In the sport driving mode, the shift indicator and the M indicator in the gauge control module do not come on.
When the paddle shifter ? (upshift switch) or paddle shifter ? (downshift switch) is pulled, the sport driving mode is canceled and the 7-speed manual shift mode comes into operation. The shift indicator displays the number of the selected speed stage, and the M indicator comes on. In the 7-speed manual shift mode, the driver can shift up and down manually from 1st through 7th speed stage by using the paddle shifters, much like a manual transmission. The paddle shifters are installed on the back of the steering wheel, and the driver can shift speed stages by pulling the paddle shifters without taking either hand off the steering wheel.
In the 7-speed manual shift mode, the transmission must be shifted up and down by pulling the paddle shifters. However, the transmission cannot downshift and stays in the current stage if the paddle shifter ? (downshift switch) is pulled while the vehicle is coasting at a speed that would cause the engine to over-rev by downshifting the transmission, and the shift indicator blinks the number of the selected stage several times, then returns to the number of the current stage. If the vehicle speed reaches an appropriate speed while the shift indicator is blinking the number of the selected stage, the transmission downshifts and the shift indicator displays the selected stage. The transmission also cannot upshift and stays in the current stage if the paddle shifter ? (upshift switch) is pulled while driving below an appropriate upshifting speed, the shift indicator blinks the number of the selected stage several times, then returns to the number of the current stage. If the vehicle speed reaches the an appropriate upshift speed while the shift indicator is blinking the number of the selected stage, the transmission upshifts and the shift indicator displays the selected stage.
This mode has automatic upshifting areas to prevent engine over-revving, and downshifting areas so the vehicle can run smoothly with more power to cope with upcoming acceleration. When coasting, the transmission downshifts to the next lower stage if the vehicle slows down to the programmed speed, or by pressing the brake pedal.
When the transmission decelerates to a stop, the transmission shifts to 1st stage automatically. The transmission can be shifted to 2nd stage by pulling the paddle shifter ? (upshift switch) while the vehicle is stopped, and the vehicle can start off in 2nd stage.
The 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled when moving the shift lever to any position/mode other than S.

The PCM actuates the CVT clutch pressure control solenoid valve to control the forward clutch pressure and the reverse brake pressure. When shifting into R, D, S, and L (six-position transmission/mode), the forward clutch pressure and reverse brake pressure regulated by the CVT clutch pressure control solenoid valve engage and disengage the clutch and reverse brake smoothly.
The PCM receives input signals from the various sensors and switches, processes data, and outputs current to the CVT clutch pressure control solenoid valve.

The shift solenoid valve B controls the hydraulic pressure to switch the LC shift valve and lock-up ON and OFF. The PCM actuates shift solenoid valve B and the CVT lock-up clutch control solenoid valve to start lock-up. The CVT lock-up clutch control solenoid valve applies and regulates hydraulic pressure to the LC control valve to control the volume of the lock-up.
The lock-up mechanism operates in D, S, and L (six-position/mode transmission), at engine coolant temperatures exceeding 70 °C (158 °F).