Suzuki SWIFT Owner's Manual page 110

Using the Transaxle: 10
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle
from stop. Make sure that vehicle is com-
pletely 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.
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in "D" range you
can get an automatic downshift by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. The higher the
vehicle speed is, the more you need to
press the accelerator pedal to get a down-
shift.
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
5-5
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",
"D", "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", "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 vehi-
cle'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.
63JP0-01E
63J051