Operation, Straight-Shift
sdp dm 15.02.002
- Always use first gear when starting to move the vehicle forward.
- On synchronized models, press the clutch pedal to the floor
when shifting gears. Double-clutching is unnecessary.
On unsynchronized models, press the clutch pedal to the floor to contact the clutch brake only when engaging the first or reverse gears.
- To upshift, do the following steps:
- Accelerate to engine governed speed.
- On synchronized models, disengage the clutch and move
the shift lever to second gear.On unsynchronized models, disengage the clutch and move the shift lever to neutral. Engage the clutch again. With the shift lever in neutral, disengage the clutch and move the shift lever to second gear.
- Engage the clutch and note the drop in engine rpm before accelerating up to engine governed speed again.
- Continue upshifting using the same sequence described in the previous step. Follow the pattern on the shift lever.
- To downshift, do the following steps:
- Wait until the engine speed drops to the rpm noted immediately after the upshift.
- On synchronized models, disengage the clutch and move
the shift lever to the next lower gear.On unsynchronized models, disengage the clutch and move the shift lever to neutral. Engage the clutch again. With the shift lever in neutral, disengage the clutch and move the shift lever to the next lowest gear.
- Engage the clutch smoothly.
- Use the sequence described above to shift progressively down through each successive lower gear, as driving conditions require.
Important: Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. This causes partial clutch disengagement which could cause premature clutch wear.
Note: If the vehicle is moving when shifting, press the clutch pedal just far enough to disengage the clutch. Pressing it to the floor will engage the clutch brake, if so equipped, causing premature clutch brake wear.
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