For 1990-2009 cars

This is the shift pattern.

Here is how to operate the manual transmission:

1 (First): Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. You can shift into 1 (First) when the vehicle is traveling less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in N (Neutral) and let up on the clutch pedal. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), and 5 (Fifth): Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth) the same way you do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal down. To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to N (Neutral).
N (Neutral): Use this position when you start or idle the engine.
R (Reverse): To back up, press the clutch pedal. After the vehicle stops, shift into R (Reverse). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. If it is hard to shift, let the shift lever return to N (Neutral) and release the clutch pedal. Then press the clutch pedal again and shift into R (Reverse). Do not attempt to shift into the fifth gear position prior to shifting into R (Reverse). The transmission has a lock out feature which prevents a fifth gear to reverse gear shift.

Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.

Also, use 1 (First) or R (Reverse) along with the parking brake, for parking the vehicle.