5 15
Driving your vehicle
• During cold weather, shifting may
be difficult until the transaxle lubri-
cant is warmed up. This is normal
and not harmful to the transaxle.
• If you've come to a complete stop
and it is difficult to shift into 1st or
R (Reverse), leave the shift lever in
the neutral position and release the
clutch. Depress the clutch pedal
and then shift into 1st or R
(Reverse) gear position.
Using the clutch
The clutch should be depressed all
the way to the floor before shifting,
then released slowly. The clutch
pedal should always be fully
released while driving. Do not rest
your foot on the clutch pedal while
driving. This can cause unnecessary
wear. Do not partially engage the
clutch to hold the vehicle on an
incline. This causes unnecessary
wear. Use the foot brake or parking
brake to hold the vehicle on an
incline. Do not operate the clutch
pedal rapidly and repeatedly.
Downshifting
It is important to downshift when you
must slow down in heavy traffic or
while driving up or down steep hills.
Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives better acceleration.
When the vehicle is traveling down
steep hills, downshifting helps main-
tain safe speed and prolongs brake
life.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always set the parking brake
fully and shut the engine off.
Then make sure the transaxle is
shifted into 1st gear when the
vehicle is parked on a level or
uphill grade, and shifted into R
(Reverse) on a downhill grade.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement can occur if these
precautions are not followed in
the order identified.
CAUTION
• To avoid premature clutch
wear and damage, do not
drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. Also, do not
use the clutch to hold the
vehicle stopped on an uphill
grade while waiting for a traf-
fic light, etc.
• Do not use the shift lever as a
handrest during driving, as
this can result in premature
wear of the transaxle shift
forks.
(Continued)
(Continued)
• When operating the clutch
pedal, press the clutch pedal
fully.
If you don't press the clutch
pedal fully, the clutch may be
damaged.
Summary of Contents for Elantra GT 2013
Page 467: ...Index I...
