Manual Transmission

Manual Transmission Operation

The manual transmission has 6 forward speeds. The transmission is fully synchronized in all forward gears, so shifting to a higher or lower gear is easily performed.

WARNING

Before leaving the driver's seat, always make sure the shift lever is in 1st gear when the vehicle is parked on an uphill grade, or in R (Reverse) when parked on a downhill grade. Set the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position. Unexpected vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are not followed.

To shift into R (Reverse), make sure the vehicle has come to a complete stop, then move the shift lever to the neutral position before shifting into R (Reverse).

When you have come to a complete stop and it is difficult to engage 1st gear or R (Reverse):

1. Move the gear shift lever to the neutral position and release the clutch pedal.

2. Depress the clutch pedal, then shift into 1st or R (Reverse) gear.

Information

In cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the transmission fluid warms up.

Using the Clutch

The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to the floor until:

- Starting the engine

The engine will not start without depressing the clutch pedal.

- Engaging a gear, upshifting to the next higher gear, or downshifting to the next lower gear.

When releasing the clutch pedal, release it slowly. The clutch pedal should always be released while driving.

NOTICE

To avoid unnecessary wear or damage to the clutch:

• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
• Do not hold the vehicle on a slope using the clutch while waiting at a traffic light, etc.
• Always depress the clutch pedal fully to prevent noise or damage.
• Do not start in 2nd gear, except when starting on a slippery road.
• Do not drive with a load exceeding the required capacity.

Downshifting

Downshift when you need to slow down in heavy traffic or climb a steep hill to prevent engine overload.

Downshifting also reduces the chance of stalling and helps you accelerate when you need to increase your speed again.

When the vehicle is going downhill, downshifting helps maintain a safe speed by providing engine braking and results in less brake wear.

NOTICE

To avoid damaging the engine, clutch, and transmission:

• When shifting from 5th to 4th gear, be careful not to unintentionally push the side shift lever that engages 2nd gear. A sudden downshift may cause the engine speed to increase to the point where the tachometer enters the red zone.
• Do not downshift more than two gears at a time, or downshift at high speed (5000 rpm or higher) with the engine running. Such downshifting may damage the engine, clutch, and transmission.

Good Driving Practices

• Never turn off the vehicle and coast down a hill. This is extremely dangerous.
• Do not "ride" the brakes. This may cause the brakes and related parts to overheat and fail. When driving down a long hill, reduce speed and shift to a lower gear. Engine braking will help slow the vehicle down.
• Decelerate before shifting to a lower gear. This helps prevent excessive engine speed, which may cause damage.
• Decelerate when encountering crosswinds. This allows you to control your vehicle much better.
• Make sure the vehicle has come to a complete stop before shifting to R (Reverse) to avoid damaging the transmission.
• Use extreme caution when driving on slippery surfaces. Be especially careful when braking, accelerating, or shifting gears. On a slippery surface, a sudden change in vehicle speed may cause the driving wheels to lose traction with the road and may result in loss of vehicle control and an accident.

WARNING

Do not use aggressive engine braking (downshifting from a higher gear to a lower gear) on slippery roads. This may cause the tires to slip, which may lead to an accident.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:

• ALWAYS wear your seat belt. In a collision, an unbelted occupant is much more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.
• Avoid high speeds in curves or turns.
• Do not make sudden steering movements, such as abrupt lane changes or quick, sharp turns.
• The risk of rollover greatly increases if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
• Loss of control often occurs when two or more wheels leave the roadway and the driver overcorrects to re-enter the roadway.
• If your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down gradually before returning to the roadway.
• HYUNDAI recommends that you obey all posted speed limits.