Manual Transmission Operation

• The manual transmission has 6 forward speeds. The shift pattern is printed on the shift knob. All forward gears are fully synchronized, so upshifting and downshifting is easy.
• Fully depress the clutch pedal when shifting gears, then slowly release it. If your vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock switch, the engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is depressed. To start the vehicle, slowly release the fully depressed clutch pedal. Then, depress the accelerator pedal to start moving.
• The shift lever must return to the neutral position before shifting into R (Reverse). The button located directly below the shift knob must be pressed up to move the shift lever into the R (Reverse) position.
• Before shifting into R (Reverse), make sure the vehicle is completely stopped. Never start the engine when the tachometer (rpm) is in the red zone.

CAUTION

• Use caution when downshifting from 5th to 4th gear. Take care not to accidentally move the shift lever sideways so that 2nd gear is engaged. Such an abrupt downshift may cause engine speed to increase until the tachometer enters the red zone. This excessive engine speed may damage the engine and transmission.
• Do not downshift more than 2 gears at once, and do not downshift when the engine is running at high speed (5000 rpm or above). Such downshifting may damage the engine, clutch, and transmission.
• When shifting between 5th and 6th gear, always push the shift lever fully to the right. Otherwise, you may accidentally engage 3rd or 4th gear and damage the transmission.

• In cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the transmission warms up. This is normal and does not harm the transmission.
• If you have come to a complete stop and have difficulty shifting into 1st (first) or R (Reverse), place the shift lever in the neutral position and release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch pedal again, then shift into 1st (first) or R (Reverse) gear.

CAUTION

• To prevent premature wear and damage to the clutch, do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal. Also, do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle on a hill, while waiting at a traffic light, etc.
• Do not use the shift lever as a armrest while driving, as this may cause premature wear of the shift forks.
• To avoid possible damage to the clutch system, do not start off in 2nd (second) gear, except when starting on slippery road surfaces.
• Do not exceed the maximum permissible load weight. Improper loading may damage the clutch system.

WARNING

• Before leaving the driver's seat, always fully apply the parking brake and turn off the engine. Then make sure the transmission is in 1st (first) gear when the vehicle is parked on level ground or uphill, or in R (Reverse) when parked downhill. Sudden and unexpected vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are not followed in the specified order.
• If your vehicle has a manual transmission without an ignition key lock, the vehicle may move and cause a serious accident when starting the engine without depressing the clutch pedal, with the parking brake released and the shift lever not in neutral.
• Do not use engine braking (downshifting from a higher gear to a lower gear) abruptly on slippery road surfaces. The vehicle may skid, which may result in an accident.