Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern

The shift pattern of the transaxle is conventional, as shown.

Depress the clutch pedal all the way down while shifting; then release it slowly.

A safety feature prevents accidental shifting from 5 to R (reverse). The shift lever must be put in neutral before being shifted to R.

WARNING.

Do not use sudden engine braking on slippery road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet, snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving at high speeds causes sudden engine braking, which is dangerous.

The sudden change in tire speed could cause the tires to skid. This could lead to loss of vehicle control and an accident.

Be sure to leave the shift lever in 1 or R position and set the parking brake when leaving the vehicle unattended: Otherwise the vehicle could move and cause an accident.

CAUTION.

Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also, do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the clutch will cause needless clutch wear and damage.

Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.

Shifting to R while the vehicle is still moving may damage the transaxle.

NOTE.

If shifting to R is difficult, shift back into neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try again.

Recommendations for Shifting

Upshifting

For normal acceleration, we recommend these shift points.

For cruising

Downshifting

When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before the engine starts to overwork. This reduces the chance of stalling and gives better acceleration when you need more speed.

On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake life.