Shift gears correctly
During the shifting process, fully depress the clutch pedal and slowly release it. While riding, the foot should not rest on the clutch pedal, as this may lead to excessive wear on the clutch. You also do not need to use the clutch when the car is parked - there is a hand brake for this.
Recommended shift speeds
To save fuel and prolong engine life, you should shift into the next gear at the following speeds:
Broadcast | Approximate speed (km/h) |
1-2 | 25 |
2-3 | 40 |
3-4 | 65 |
4-5 | 70 |
Shifting too early results in jerky driving and, at the same time, high-pitched knocks. Constantly driving up to the highest engine speeds in every gear leads to excessive engine wear and high fuel consumption. Make sure the vehicle has actually stopped before engaging reverse gear.
If during driving, for example when cornering, you must change to lower speeds than those indicated below, shift to the following lower gear:
Broadcast | Speed, km/h |
2 | 15 |
3 | 25 |
4 | 40 |
(5) | 50 |
The gearbox is fully synchronized and allows easy downshifting.
Proper riding
On long downhills, slow down and shift to a lower gear. This causes engine braking. Be aware that the brakes can become too hot and stop functioning properly if they are overloaded.
Prevent exceeding the maximum engine speed by slowing down before downshifting - especially on wet, icy or snowy roads - as this can lead to a decrease in traction of the drive wheels.
If there is a gusty side wind, reduce your driving speed. Slower driving allows better control of the car. It is important that the vehicle comes to a complete stop before engaging reverse gear. If shifting into reverse gear is difficult, release the clutch pedal briefly and depress again, then shift into reverse. When driving on a busy street, be especially careful when accelerating, shifting gears and braking. An unexpected change in engine speed, which occurs during heavy acceleration or engine braking, can cause the drive wheels to skid or lock up.
When changing lanes on the freeway or overtaking, it may be necessary to accelerate at higher engine speeds. Be sure to pay attention to the maximum permissible speeds in each gear:
Gasoline engines
Broadcast | Speed, km/h |
1 | 44 |
2 | 82 |
3 | 119 |
Diesel engines
Broadcast | Speed, km/h |
1 | 40 |
2 | 69 |
3 | 106 |
Do not downshift if you are going faster than the next downshift.