2005 Chrysler Sebring Owner Manual Coupe - Page 167

STARTING AND DRIVING 167 To start Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift into 1st. Then gradually release the clutch pedal while depressing the accelerator pedal. 2. To shift into reverse from 5th gear, move the gearshift lever to the "N" (NEUTRAL) position, and then shift into reverse. Never shift into the "R" position when the vehicle is moving. Proper shift points Always use care to change gears with the vehicle speed matching the engine speed. Proper shifting will improve fuel economy and prolong engine life. CAUTION! • Do not move the gearshift lever into the "R" (REVERSE) while the vehicle is moving forward; doing so will damage the transaxle. • Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal as this will cause premature clutch wear or damage. • Do not coast in the "N" (NEUTRAL) position (illegal in many states). • Do not use the gearshift lever as a hand rest. This can result in premature wear of the transaxle shift forks. NOTE 1. If it is hard to shift into 1st, depress the clutch pedal again; the shift will then be easier to make. 5 CAUTION! Avoid downshifting that may cause the tachometer pointer to enter the red zone. This puts the engine at risk of being damaged. Upshifting In order to efficiently utilize your manual transaxle for both fuel economy and performance, it should be shifted as listed below.