Fiat SEDICI Owner's Handbook Manual page 157

D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in "D" range you
can get an automatic downshift by pressing
the accelerator pedal. The higher the ve-
hicle speed is, the more you need to press
the accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
3 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moder-
ate uphill and downhill gradients. The en-
gine braking effect on moderate downhills
can be used in this position. The transaxle
shifts up only to 3rd gear.
2 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.
156
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a low-
er gear while driving faster than the max-
imum allowable speed for the lower gear,
the transaxle will not actually downshift
until your speed drops below the maxi-
mum speed for the lower gear.
IMPORTANT Be sure to take the follow-
ing precautions to help avoid damage to
the automatic transaxle:
❒ Make sure that the vehicle is completely
stationary before shifting into "P" or
"R".
❒ Do not shift from "P" or "N" to
"R","D", "3", "2", or "L" when the en-
gine is running above idle speed.
❒ Do not rev the engine with the
transaxle in a drive position (" R",
"D","3", "2", or "L") and the front
wheels not moving.
❒ Do not use the accelerator to hold the
vehicle on a hill. Use the vehicle's
brakes.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Starting off
To start off, push in the clutch pedal and
shift into 1st gear. After releasing the park-
ing brake, gradually release the clutch.
When you hear a change in the engine's
sound, slowly press the accelerator while
continuing to gradually release the clutch.
Shifting
All forward gears are synchronized, which
provides for quiet, easy shifting. Always
push in the clutch pedal fully before shift-
ing gears.
For vehicle with tachometer
Keep the engine speed so it does not get
into the red zone of tachometer.
Reverse engagement
Petrol versions: from neutral (N) press the
gear lever down and at the same time
move it rightwards and backwards.
Diesel versions: raise the ring and at the
same time move the gear lever rightwards
and backwards.