Page 53 of 362

2-
yellowblue
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
2
-11 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-15 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-17 PASS-Key III
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-32 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-32 Engine Exhaust
2
-33 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-34 Windows
2
-35 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-49 Mirrors
2
-53 Storage Compartments
2
-56 Sun Visors
2
-57 Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 Universal Transmitter (Option)
2
-62 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-67 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-78 Driver Information Center (DIC)
Page 67 of 362

yellowblue
2-15
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key?
If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all doors except the driver's.
Give the valet key to the valet. Then take the master
key with you.
Theft-Deterrent System
If the ignition is off and any
door is open, the
SECURITY light will flash,
reminding you to arm
the system.
Page 71 of 362

yellowblue
2-19
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be injured or even killed. They could
operate power windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in
the vehicle with children.
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the key
to four different positions:
OFF: This position lets you
turn off the engine and
remove the key. It doesn't
lock the steering wheel.
Page 72 of 362

yellowblue
2-20
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
ACC: This position lets you use things like the radio
and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. Use
ACC if you must have your vehicle in motion while
the engine is off (for example, if your vehicle is
being pushed).
ON: This is the position for driving.
START: This position starts the engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned from
ON to OFF:
Cellular Phone (If Equipped)
Radio
Power Windows
Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Sunroof (Option)
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or if
any door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and turn the ignition key
to ON and then back to OFF. If the cellular phone is
being used while Retained Accessory Power is in effect,
the timer is suspended (to avoid interruption of the call).
The timer resets to 10 minutes at the end of the call.
Page 76 of 362

yellowblue
2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks the
front wheels. It's the best
position to use when you
start the engine because
your vehicle can't
move easily.
CAUTION:
It is 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have 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).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index. If
you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a Brake
-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in the Index.
Page 77 of 362

yellowblue
2-25
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
has stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle. See ªStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the
Index for additional information.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
OVERDRIVE (): This position is for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing, and you're:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transaxle will shift down to the next gear and
have more power.
Page 79 of 362
yellowblue
2-27
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and damage
the transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right
foot and push the parking
brake pedal down with your
left foot to set the parking
brake. If the ignition is on,
the PARK indicator light
should come on. If it
doesn't, you need to have
your vehicle serviced.
If the parking brake has not been fully released and you
try to drive with the parking brake on, the PARK
indicator light comes on and stays on. See ªParking
Brake Indicator Lightº in the Index for
more information.
Page 87 of 362

yellowblue
2-35
Horn
The horn can be sounded by pressing on the center of
the steering wheel pad.
Tilt Wheel
Tilt steering allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. Raising the steering wheel to the
highest level gives your legs more room when you enter
and exit the vehicle.
Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever toward you to
bring the steering wheel close to you. Adjust the steering
wheel to a comfortable position and then release the
lever to lock it into place.
Power Tilt Wheel (and Telescopic
Wheel)(Option)
To operate the power tilt
feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel will
tilt up. Push the control
down and the steering wheel
will go down.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control
rearward and the steering wheel moves toward the rear
of the vehicle. To set the memory position, see
ªMemory and Personalization Featuresº in the Index.
If the power tilt control is pressed up or down and held
in that position, there will be a slight movement and a
slight pause followed by a continuous movement in the
direction the control is being pressed. This allows very
fine control of the steering wheel position. If the control
is bumped, the steering wheel moves approximately one
degree in the direction commanded.