10 Learning Your Vehicle

10 LEARNING YOUR VEHICLE

Mahindra recommends that you contact your local ROXOR authorized dealer for information about ROV training courses in your area, or visit the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) website (http://www.rohva.org). All operators should familiarize themselves with the handling of the Mahindra ROXOR Offroad Side x Side in a controlled environment before they go off-roading. Find an area free of obstacles to practice and perform the exercises listed below. And never perform these exercises with a load in the cargo area or with a trailer attached. Starting the Engine – For manual transmission depress clutch pedal fully, for automatic transmission verify vehicle is in park (P). Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch, then turn the ignition key to the START position. Release the ignition key immediately when the engine has started. Do not hold ignition key in START position for more than 10 seconds at a time, this can overheat the starter and damage it. Improper use may result in a limited warranty claim being denied. Never use an engine starting aid such as ether. Engine damage will result which would void all of your warranty coverage.

If the engine does not start after repeated attempts, refer to section 27 Troubleshooting. Automatic Transmission - An automatic transmission is a type of vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. The following table describes the uses for each position labeled on the shifter.

Position Function

P Park

R N

D Reverse Neutral

Drive

L2 Low

L1 Lower

Description

This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine. This position is for backing up the vehicle. This position can be used for restarting a stalled engine. This position is for normal driving. The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to 6th according to the vehicle speed and accelerator input. This position offers the best torque when towing a trailer. It can also be used for ascending and descending more gradual grades. This position is used for ascending and descending steeper grades, and provides engine braking on descent. Manual Transmission – If you have never driven a vehicle with a manual transmission, learning on the ROXOR while driving off-road is not advisable. A manual transmission requires the operator to shift gears themselves, with proper timing and coordination. This

activity must become second nature, in a controlled environment, before operating on difficult terrain. The clutch pedal is located at the far left and is required to shift gears. Always fully depress the clutch pedal while shifting gears, then gradually release the clutch pedal to engage the transmission while increasing the engine idle to around 1500 RPM. Change one gear at a time in ascending or descending order. As a general rule, you should shift gears about every 10 mph increase or decrease in speed. When switching from a forward gear to reverse, or from reverse to a forward gear, come to a complete stop. Never try to start the ROXOR without being seated in the driver’s seat with the clutch pedal fully depressed and the parking brake set to help prevent a runaway situation in the event the throttle is stuck.

Turning – Overly aggressive turning frequently results in accidents. You should practice turning in both directions at various speeds to experience the lateral force differences. Speed and steering input will affect lateral force, you should try to minimize this force for safety. Decelerate before entering a turn and accelerate slowly as you exit the turn. You should also practice U-turns and turning while driving in reverse. Braking – It is important to get familiar with the braking response on the ROXOR. Start at slow speeds and low pedal force. Gradually increase your speed and pedal force to understand adequate braking distance without locking up the wheels. It may also be a good

10 Learning Your Vehicle

idea to practice an emergency stop to see how the ROXOR reacts. Always brake in a straight line with little to no steering input. Reverse – Learn how the ROXOR handles in reverse and more importantly how it reacts to steering inputs while driving in reverse. You should also familiarize yourself with the distance required to see obstacles behind you. Place an orange cone or other non-destructible item close to the rear bumper and then pull forward until you can see the item from the driver’s seat. You can even practice backing up to these items without hitting them. Take note of the distances. Emergency Engine Stop – While driving at a slow speed, turn off the ignition switch. Take note of how the ROXOR reacts when the engine stops running. It is a good idea to develop this reflex in case of an emergency. You may also want to practice an emergency exit, which will require stopping the engine, immobilizing the ROXOR, removing the seat belt, detaching the safety net (or opening the door) and exiting the ROXOR.