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Manual transmission (if equipped)

The shift lever can be moved without pulling the button (1).

The button (1) should be pressed when moving the shift lever into R (Reverse).

Operation

  • Depress the clutch pedal down fully whilst shifting, then release it slowly.

Using the clutch

The clutch should be pressed all the way to the floor before shifting, then released slowly. The clutch pedal should always be fully released whilst driving. Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal whilst driving. This can cause unnecessary wear. Do not partially engage the clutch to hold the vehicle on an incline.

This causes unnecessary wear. Use the foot brake or parking brake to hold the vehicle on an incline. Do not operate the clutch pedal rapidly and repeatedly.

Downshifting

When you must slow down in heavy traffic or whilst driving up steep hills, downshift before the engine starts to labour.

Downshifting reduces the chance of stalling and gives better acceleration when you again need to increase your speed. When the vehicle is travelling down steep hills, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake life.

NOTICE
  • If your vehicle is equipped with an ignition lock switch, the engine will not start when starting the engine without depressing the clutch pedal.

  • The shift lever must be returned to the neutral position before shifting into R (Reverse).

    Push the button located immediately below the shift knob and pull the gearshift lever to the left sufficiently, and then shift into R (Reverse) position.

  • Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before shifting into R (Reverse).

  • Never operate the engine with the tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.

  • During cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the transmission lubricant is warmed up. This is normal and not harmful to the transmission.

  • If you've come to a complete stop and it's hard to shift into 1st or R (Reverse), leave the shift lever at N (Neutral) position and release the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down, and then shift into 1st or R (Reverse) gear position.

WARNING
  • Before leaving the driver's seat, always set the parking brake fully and shut the engine off. Then make sure the transmission is shifted into 1st gear when the vehicle is parked on a level or uphill grade, and shifted into R (Reverse) on a downhill grade. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed in the order identified.

  • Do not use the engine brake (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slip causing an accident.

  • Depress the clutch pedal as far as possible. Be aware not to apply the pedal again before it returns to the normal position. If the pedal is repeatedly depressed before returning to its normal position, the clutch system might be damaged.

  • Do not overload the vehicle. Starting or driving a vehicle in this situation generates too much frictional heat to the clutch disk which might cause damage to the clutch cover and disk.

  • When starting the vehicle or driving backwards, releasing the clutch pedal too soon after shifting the lever might turn off the engine and lead to an accident.

  • Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you shift into R (Reverse) to prevent damage to the transmission.

CAUTION
  • When downshifting from 5th gear to 4th gear, caution should be taken not to inadvertently press the shift lever sideways in such a manner that the second gear is engaged. Such a drastic downshift may cause the engine speed to increase to the point that the tachometer will enter the red-zone. Such over-revving of the engine and transmission may possibly cause engine damage.

  • Do not downshift more than 2 gears or downshift the gear when the engine is running at high speed (5,000 rpm or higher). Such downshifting may damage the engine, clutch and the transmission.

  • To avoid premature clutch wear and damage, do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal. Also, don't use the clutch to hold the vehicle stopped on an uphill grade, whilst waiting for a traffic light, etc.

  • Do not use the shift lever as a handrest during driving, as this can result in premature wear of the transmission shift forks.

  • To prevent possible damage to the clutch system, do not start with the 2nd gear engaged except when you start on a slippery road.

  • When operating the clutch pedal, press the clutch pedal down fully. If you don't press the clutch pedal fully, the clutch may be damaged or noise may occur.

NOTICE

When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, push the shift lever to the right. Otherwise, inadvertently shifting to the 3rd or 4th gear may cause engine damage.