Manual transmission — if equipped
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING! You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended without having the parking brake fully applied. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle, especially on an incline.
Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal.
Shift Pattern
Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a gear. Be sure the transmission is in first gear, (not third), when starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch can result from starting in a gear higher than first gear.
CAUTION!
• Launching in any gear except 1st gear will result in excessive slipping of the clutch and potentially lug- ging or stalling the engine.
• Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a gear.
Be sure the transmission is in first gear, (not third), when starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch can result from starting in a gear higher than first gear.
For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light accel- erations, fifth gear is recommended. Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NOTE: During cold weather, until the transmission lubri- cant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transmission.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds
Units in mph (km/h)
| Engine Size | Acceleration Rate | 1 to 2 | 2 to 3 | 3 to 4 | 4 to 5 |
| All Engines | Accel | 14 (23) | 23 (37) | 29 (47) | 45 (72) |
| Cruise | 12 (19) | 18 (29) | 25 (40) | 32 (52) |
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and pro- long engine life.
CAUTION! If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift at too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may cause the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is selected and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to the clutch and the transmission can result from skipping a gear while downshifting or downshifting at too high of a vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal is held pressed (i.e., not released).
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift down to second or first gear when descending a steep grade. When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade, downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur- dened.
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