Operation Manual

5-20
Driving your vehicle
Using the clutch
The clutch pedal should be
depressed all the way to the floor
before:
- Starting the engine
The engine will not start without
depressing the clutch pedal.
- Shifting
When releasing the clutch pedal,
release it slowly. The clutch pedal
should always be released while
driving.
Downshifting
Downshift when you must slow down
in heavy traffic or drive up a steep hill
to prevent engine load.
Also, downshifting reduces the
chance of stalling and can accelerate
when you need to increase your
speed again.
When the vehicle is going downhill,
downshifting helps maintain safe
speed by providing brake power from
the engine and enables less wear on
the brakes.
To prevent unnecessary wear or
damage to the clutch:
• Do not rest your foot on the
clutch pedal while driving.
• Do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch on an incline, while
waiting for the traffic light, etc.
• Always depress the clutch
pedal down fully to prevent
noise or damage.
(Continued)
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the
engine:
• When downshifting from 5th
gear to 4th gear, be careful not
to inadvertently push the shift
lever sideways engaging the
2nd gear. A drastic downshift
may cause the engine speed
to increase to the point the
tachometer will enter the red-
zone.
• 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 transaxle.
CAUTION
(Continued)
• 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.