Using the Clutch

Before shifting, fully depress the clutch pedal, then release it slowly. The clutch pedal should always be fully released while driving. Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. This may cause unnecessary wear. Do not partially engage the clutch to hold the vehicle on a slope. This causes unnecessary wear. Use the foot brake or parking brake to hold the vehicle on a slope. Do not depress the clutch pedal rapidly and repeatedly.

CAUTION

• If a half-clutch*1) driving style is used, or the driver's foot rests on the pedal while driving, the clutch may be damaged or wear prematurely.
• When parking on a steep slope, do not use the half-clutch method to hold the vehicle. This will cause premature wear of the clutch disc.
• Do not downshift abruptly while driving at high speed. This may cause damage to the engine and transmission.

Clutch Slipping?

A condition in which the clutch is partially engaged and slips. This may occur when the clutch pedal is partially depressed (not fully) or when engine power is transmitted to the clutch before the pedal is fully released.

CAUTION

When depressing the clutch pedal, fully depress the clutch pedal. If the clutch pedal is not fully depressed, this may cause damage to the clutch or noise.

WARNING

• When starting from a complete stop, do not start in 2nd gear. Starting in 2nd gear may cause abnormal heating of the clutch disc and result in damage to the clutch cover and clutch disc.
• When the vehicle is in motion, do not use half-clutch engagement. Using the half clutch while the vehicle is moving may cause premature wear of the clutch disc, abnormal vibration, or noise.
• The clutch pedal must be fully depressed for any operation. When releasing a depressed pedal, do not depress the pedal again until the pedal has returned to its original position. If such unintentional re-depression occurs, the clutch system may be damaged.

Downshifting

If you need to reduce speed in heavy traffic or when driving down steep grades, shift to a lower gear before the engine begins to labor. Downshifting reduces the likelihood of stalling and provides better acceleration when you need to increase speed again. When driving down steep grades, downshifting helps maintain a safe speed and extends brake life.