SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31840/2020
1 
 واﻟ واﻟ  ﻟﻠ  اﻟ  اﻟﻬ 
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Org. (SAS O) 
 
 
    
 
 
   
Final Draft Standard  
 
   
SASO /FDS/31840/2020  
   
Road vehicles - Transmission shift position sequence, 
starter interlock, and transmission braking effect 
     
 
 
ICS: 43.040.50 
 
This document is a draft Saudi Standard circulated for comments . It is, therefore, 
subject to alteration and modifi cation and may not be referred to as a Saudi 
Standard until approved by SASO SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31840/2020
2 
  
Conte nts 
 
 
1- Scope and field of the application ............... ................ ................ ................ ............ ......... 3 
 
2- Terms and definitions  .............................................................. ......................................... 3 
 
3- Technical requirements  ............................................................... ..................................... 3 
 
3.1 Automatic transm issions............................................................... .................................. 3 
 
3.1.1  Location of transmission shift positions on passenger cars ......................................... 3 
 
3.1.2  Transm ission braking effect .............................................................. ............................. 3 
 
3.1.3  Starter interlock ............................................................... ............................................... 4 
 
3.1.4  Identification of shift positions and of shift position sequence.............. ...................... 4 
 
3.2 Manual  transmissions ............................................................... ...................................... 5 
 
 
Bibliography  .............................................................. ............................................................. 6  SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31840/2020
3 
 Road vehicles - Transmi ssion shift position se quence, starter interlock, 
and transmission braking effec t 
 
1- Scope and field and application 
This standard specifies the technical requirements for the tran smission shift position sequence, 
a starter interlock, and for a braking effect of automatic tran smissions, to reduce the likelihood 
of shifting errors, to prevent starter engagement by the driver  when the transmission is in any 
drive position, and to provide supplemental braking at speeds b elow 40 km/h. 
 
This standard applies to passenger cars, multi-purpose passenge r vehicles, trucks, and buses. 
 
2- Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and defi nitions are applied: 
2.1 Passenge r car 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying 10 per sons or less including the 
driver and their luggage, except a low-speed vehicle, multipurp ose passenger vehicle, or trailer. 
2.2 Multipurpose passe nger vehicle 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed to carry 10 persons  or less or goods equivalent 
by weight which is constructed either on a truck chassis or wit h special features for occasional 
off-road operation. except a low-speed vehicle or trailer 
2.3 Truck 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed primarily for the t ransportation of property, 
special purpose equipment, or towing a trailer except a trailer . 
2.4 Bus 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying more t han 10 persons, except a 
trailer. 
 
3- Technical requirements 
3.1 Automatic transm issions 
3.1.1 Location of transmission shift positions on pass enger cars 
A neutral position shall be located between forward drive and r everse drive positions. 
3.1.1.1 Transm ission shift levers 
a)  If a steering-column-mounted transmission shift lever is used , movement from neutral 
position to forward drive position shall be clockwise. 
b) If the transmission shift lever sequence includes a park posit ion, it shall be located at the end, 
adjacent to the reverse drive position. 
3.1.2 Transm ission braking effect 
In vehicles having more than one forward transmission gear rati o, one forward drive position 
shall provide a greater degree of engine braking than the highe st speed transmission ratio at 
vehicle speeds below 40 km/h. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31840/2020
4 
  
3.1.3 Starter interlock 
The engine starter shall be inoperative when the transmission s hift position is in a forward or 
reverse drive position, except as following: 
3.1.3.1  After the driver has activated the vehicle's propulsion system : 
a) The engine may stop and restart automatically when the trans mission shift position is in any 
forward drive gear; b) The engine may not automatically stop when the transmission is  in reverse gear; and 
c) The engine may automatically restart in reverse gear only if t he vehicle satisfies (1) and (2): 
1) When the engine is automatically stopped in a forward drive sh ift position and the driver 
selects Reverse, the engine restarts immediately whenever the s ervice brake is applied. 
2) When the engine is automatically stopped in a forward drive sh ift position and the driver 
selects Reverse, the engine does not start automatically if the  service brake is not applied. 
3.1.3.2   Notwithstanding 3.1.3.1, the engine may stop and start at any  time after the driver has 
activated the vehicle's propulsion system if the vehicle can me et the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (a) and (c): 
a) For passenger cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks a nd buses with a GVWR less 
than or equal to 4,500 kg 
The vehicle's propulsion system can propel the vehicle in the n ormal travel mode in all forward 
and reverse drive gears without the engine operating. 
b) For passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a GVWR greater 
than 4,536 kg 
The vehicle's propulsion system can propel the vehicle in the n ormal travel mode in Reverse 
and at least one forward drive gear without the engine operatin g. 
c) If the engine automatically starts while the vehicle is travel ing at a steady speed and steady 
accelerator control setting, the engine does not cause the vehi cle to accelerate. 
3.1.3.3  If the transmission shift position is in Park, automatically s topping or restarting the 
engine shall not take the transmission out of Park. 
3.1.4 Identification of shift positions and of shift position sequence 
3.1.4.1  Except as specified in 3.1.4.3, if the transmission shift posi tion sequence includes a park 
position, identification of shift positions, including the posi tions 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 sh ifted; or 
b) The transmission is not in park. 
3.1.4.2  Except as specified in 3.1.4.3, if the transmission shift posi tion sequence does not 
include a park position, identification of shift positions, inc luding the positions in relation to 
each other and the position selected, shall be displayed in vie w of the driver whenever the 
ignition is in a position in which the engine is capable of ope ration. 
3.1.4.3  Such information need not be displayed when the ignition is in  a position that is used 
only to start the vehicle. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31840/2020
5 
  
3.1.4.4  All of the information required to be displayed by 3.1.4.1 or 3.1.4.2 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. 
3.2 Manual  transmissions 
Identification of the shift lever pattern of manual transmissio ns, 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 p osition. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31840/2020
6 
  
Bibliography  
 
 
[1] 49 Subtitle  B-Chapter  V-Part  571-Subpart B Section  102 
(FMVSS 571.102) "Transmission shift  position  sequence, starter  interlock,  and transmission 
braking  effect".