Downshifting

Downshift when you need to reduce speed in heavy traffic or climb a hill, to reduce engine load.

Downshifting also reduces the risk of stalling and provides acceleration when you need to increase speed again. When the vehicle is on a downhill slope, downshifting helps maintain a safe speed by using engine braking, resulting in less brake wear.

NOTICE

Observe the following instructions to avoid damage to the engine, clutch and transmission:

• When downshifting from 5th to 4th gear, be careful not to accidentally select 2nd gear. Abrupt downshifting may cause the engine speed to increase so that the tachometer needle enters the red zone.
• Do not downshift more than one gear at a time, and never downshift at high engine speeds (5000 rpm or above). Such downshifting may cause damage to the engine, clutch and transmission.