
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
L
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless
you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake
is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK
(P)
without first pulling it toward you If you can, it means
that
the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK
(P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
lour vehicle nas a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You must fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in
ON. See “Automatic Transaxle Operation” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK
(P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK
(P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button
as you maintain brake application.
Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P) into the gear
that you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK(P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
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Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If
you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a switch for its own window.
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down fe.ature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the switch back, and
the driver’s window will open a small amount.
Tf the
switch is moved all the way back, the window will go all
the way down.
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Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph
(40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts
off.
A CAU‘ [ON:
I
Setting Cruise Control
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely
at a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit
a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
I I
1. Push the cruise control
button on the instrument
panel to turn it on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
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3. Push the COAST/SET
button on your steering wheel and release it. Once
you’re going about
25 rnph (40 km/h)or more,
press the RES/ACCEL
button on your steering
wheel. You’ll go right back
up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on after the cruise control has been set to the
desired speed.
It will go off when you:
step lightly on the brake pedal,
0 press CLEAR on the steering wheel or
0 press the CRUISE button on the instrument panel.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset
it.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
0
0
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the COAST/SET button on the steering wheel,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
Press the RES/ACCEL button on the steering wheel.
Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want
and then release the switch. (To increase your speed
in very small amounts, press the RES/ACCEL
button for less than half a second and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will
go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.)
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The accelerate feature will only work after you set the
cruise control speed by pressing the COAST/SET button
on the steering wheel.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press the COAST/SET button on the steering wheel
until
you reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
COASTBET button on the steering wheel for less
than a half second. Each time you do this, you’ll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot
off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out
of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to cancel the cruise control:
0 Step lightly on the brake pedal,
0 Press CLEAR on the steering wheel or
Press the CRUISE button on the instrument panel.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
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Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:
The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off and
0 The parking brake is released.
When the
DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on.
The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t
be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will turn off and your headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on.
When it’s bright enough outside, your headlamps will
go
off and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is in
OFF. Then start your
vehicle. The DRL, headlamps and parking lamps will
stay off until
you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
To turn the fog lamps on,
press the fog lamp switch.
A light will glow on the
switch
to let you know that
they are on. (Your parking
lamps must be on, or your
fog lamps won’t come on.)
Press the switch again to
turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will go
off whenever you change to
high-beam headlamps. When you return to low beams,
the fog lamps will come on again.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
This light will come
on
when you start your engine.
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition
as
a check to show you it’s
working. Then it should
go out.
If it stays on, or comes
on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system.
It could
indicate that you have a loose drive belt or another
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all
your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you.
For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes
on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
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