Manual transmission operation
The shift lever can be moved without pushing the button (1).
The button (1) must be pushed whilst moving the shift lever.
The manual transmission has 5 (or 6) forward gears.
Press the clutch pedal down fully whilst shifting, then release it slowly.
If your vehicle is equipped with an ignition lock switch, the engine will not start when starting the engine without depressing the clutch pedal. (if equipped)
A special safety feature prevents inadvertent shifting from 5 (Type A) to R (Reverse). The gearshift lever must be returned to the neutral position before shifting into R (Reverse).
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before shifting into R (Reverse).
Never operate the engine with the tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.
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.
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When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press the shift lever to the right. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged by accidentally engaging 3rd or 4th gear.
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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 a downshifting may damage the engine, clutch and the transmission.
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When downshifting from fifth gear to fourth gear, caution should be taken not to inadvertently press the gear lever sideways in such a manner that second gear is engaged. Such a drastic downshift may cause the engine speed to increase to the point that the tachometer will enter the redzone. Such over-revving of the engine may possibly cause engine damage.
Manual transmission
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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) gear on a downhill ground. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed in the order identified.
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If your vehicle has a manual transmission not equipped with a ignition lock switch, it may move and cause a serious accident when starting the engine without depressing the clutch pedal whilst the parking brake is released and the shift lever not in the N (Neutral) position.
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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.
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To prevent possible damage to the clutch system, do not start with the 2nd (second) gear engaged except when you start on a slippery road.
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.
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.
Using the clutch
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.
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If half-clutch *1) driving style is adopted, or driver's foot is placed on the pedal whilst the driving, the clutch may be damaged or worn out prematurely.
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Whilst parking on a steep grade, do not use half clutch method to park the vehicle. It will cause premature wear of the clutch disc.
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Whilst driving at fast speed, do not abruptly shift to low speed.
It may lead to engine and transmission damage.
*1) Half clutch
A condition where the clutch is halfengaged and sliding. It may occur when the clutch pedal is partially depressed (not fully depressed), or vehicle power is transferred to the clutch before the pedal is fully let go.
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When starting a fully stopped vehicle, refrain to start in 2nd gear. When starting in 2nd gear, abnormal clutch disc friction heat may occur and result in clutch cover and clutch disc damage.
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When the vehicle is in motion, please refrain from using half clutch. The use of half clutch whilst the vehicle is in motion may result in early clutch disc wear, abnormal vibration or noise.
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The clutch pedal should be depressed fully for any operation. When letting go of the depressed pedal, make sure not to depress the pedal again before the pedal goes back to its initial position. If such unintended re-depressing occurs, the clutch system may be damaged.