Suzuki sx4 Owner's Manual page 7

P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle from
stop. Make sure that vehicle is completely
stationary before shifting into Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling.
o
(Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in "0" range you
can get an automatic downshift by pressing
the accelerator pedal. The higher the vehi-
cle speed is, the more you need to press
the accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
3 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
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.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to
a
lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transaxle will not actually downshift until
your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
automatic transaxle:
• Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting
into "P" or "R".
• Do not shift from "P" or "N" to "R",
"0", "3", "2", or "L" when the
engine is running above idle speed.
• Do not rev the engine with the tran-
saxle in a drive position ("R", "0",
"3", "2", or "l:') and the front
wheels not moving.
• Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle's brakes.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Manual Transaxle
3 5
H-I
2 4 R
EXAMPLE
63.1051
Starting off
To start off, depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor and shift into 1 st gear.
After releasing the parking brake, gradually
release the clutch. When you hear a
change in the engine's sound, slowly press
the accelerator while continuing to gradu-
ally release the clutch.
Shifting
All forward gears are synchronized, which
provides for quiet, and easy shifting.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor before shifting gears. Keep
the engine speed does not rise into the red
zone of the tachometer.
5-6