STARTING AND DRIVING
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(b) Using engine braking
“2” (Second) position
“L” (Low) position
“D” (Drive) position
: Shifting
Overdrive switch
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
Turn off the overdrive switch. (This is effective only when
you are driving in the “D” position.) The “O / D OFF” indicator
light in the instrument cluster will come on and the
transmission will downshift to the third gear.
Shift into the “2” position. The transmission will downshift to
the second gear when the vehicle speed is lower than 128
km / h (80 mph) and more powerful engine braking will be
obtained.
Shift into the “L” position. The transmission will downshift to
the first gear when the vehicle speed is lower than 70 km / h
(43 mph) and maximum engine braking will be applied.CAUTION:
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle to
spin or skid.
(c) Using the “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine braking as
described previously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle in
motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle will start in the first
gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.
NOTICE:
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference:
“2” ... 128 km / h (80 mph)
“L” ... 70 km / h (43 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “2” or “L” position. This may cause severe
automatic transmission damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, “D” position should be used in
hill climbing or hard towing.
