Driving cars with manual transmission (Opel Vectra C)

The vehicles considered in this Manual are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The gear shift lever is floor-mounted and is located on the center console. The gear shift order is shown in Figure 22.1.

Note: Some models of recent years of production have begun to be equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission; the control procedure for this gearbox is completely analogous to that described below.

The car starts moving in first gear or reverse gear. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and move the gearshift lever to one of these positions. To engage reverse gear, you need to press the locking button on the gearshift lever approximately 3 seconds after disengaging the clutch and only then engage the gear.

Attention! Reverse gear can only be engaged after the vehicle has come to a complete stop!

If the gear does not engage, return the lever to neutral, briefly release and depress the clutch pedal again and try to engage the gear again. Release the parking brake - the corresponding indicator lamp on the instrument panel should go out (see Section 16).



While smoothly releasing the clutch pedal, simultaneously slowly press the gas pedal.

(Text copied from an online resource OPELBOOK.ru)

Before moving the gearshift lever to the next position, fully depress the clutch pedal. After changing gears, slowly and smoothly release the clutch pedal. Frequent gearshifts without fully disengaging the clutch can quickly cause the manual transmission to fail.

Note: When shifting from 5th to 4th gear, do not move the gearshift lever to the left - push the lever backwards.

The choice of gear must correspond to the driving conditions, the condition of the road surface and is largely determined by the driver's experience. An experienced driver drives a car at the maximum possible speed for specific driving conditions, but at the same time it is necessary to constantly monitor speed limit signs.

Warning: Never attempt to exceed the maximum speed limit specified for a particular gear (see Specifications)!

Do not keep your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. For faster acceleration, fully accelerate the car in the current gear before shifting to a higher gear. If the engine starts to jerk when you reduce the speed by releasing the gas pedal, shift to a lower gear. Avoid abruptly pressing the gas pedal, as well as abruptly shifting to a lower gear when driving on a slippery road.

Note: When leaving the car in a parking lot, it is recommended to engage first/reverse gear in addition to the parking brake!