Page 200 of 432

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
182AIR mode is set.
If you push the ºFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
while in the FRONT WINDSHIELD mode, the mode then
returns to the last mode used.
CAUTION
Do not use the FRONT WINDSHIELD mode during cooled
air operation in extremely humid weather. The difference
between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield could cause the outer surface of the windshield to
fog up blocking your vision.
If quick heating or cooling is desired ±
Obtain maximum power by turning the ºTEMPº knob fully.
At this time, ºMAX. HOTº or ºMAX. COLDº will appear on
the display.
If manual fan speed control is desired ±
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by pushing
either
side of the fan speed control
(FAN) button. The
higher the fan speed is, the more air is delivered. Pushing in
the
(OFF) button turns off the fan.
To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speed
setting. Stopping the fan ±
Push in the
(OFF) button.
The fan stops in automatic mode or manual mode.
If manual switching of air intake is desired ±
(AIR INTAKE) button is used to switch the air
intake between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and
RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the OUTSIDE
AIR mode indicator light will come on and the system will
take fresh outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, press in the air
intake control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button
Page 202 of 432

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
184
(c) Operating tips
Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield are
not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the dashboard
vents. (See ºCenter ventsº, ºSide ventsº and ºLower
ventº.)
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot sun,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows open.
After the excess heat has blown away, close the windows.
When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dust
thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake
control button be left to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the
fan speed control button be pressed to anywhere except the
ºOFFº button.
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake control button be temporarily pressed in to the
RECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside air and dust from
entering the vehicle interior.
Page 209 of 432

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
191
Fading and drifting:
FM range is limited to about 40 km (25 miles), except for
some high power stations.
If a vehicle is moving away from the desired station's
transmitter, the signal will tend to fade and/or drift. This
phenomenon is more noticeable with FM than with AM,
and is accompanied by distortion.
Fading and drifting can be minimized to a certain degree
by careful attention to fine tuning, or you should retune the
radio to another stronger station.
Static and Fluttering:
When the line±of±sight link between a transmitter and
vehicle is blocked by large buildings or the like, the radio
sound may be accompanied by static or fluttering because
of the characteristic of FM. In a similar effect, a fluttering
noise is sometimes heard when driving along a tree±lined
road.
This static and fluttering can be reduced by adjusting the
tone control for greater bass response until the disturbance
has passed.
Multipath:
Because of the reflecting characteristics of FM, direct and
reflected signals may reach the antenna at the same time
(multipath) and cancel each other out. As a vehicle moves
through these electronic dead spots, the listener may hear
a momentary flutter or loss of reception.
Station swapping:
When two FM stations are close to each other, and an
electronic dead spot, such as static or multipath area,
interrupts the original signal, sometimes the stronger
second signal will be selected automatically until the
original one returns. This swapping can also occur as you
drive away from the selected station and approach another
station with a stronger signal.
Page 215 of 432
AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
197
1. Open the cover to eject the magazine.
2. Pull out the tray while pushing the lock release button.
Page 225 of 432

SECTION 3 ± 1
207
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
208
Engine exhaust caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
211
Before starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
212
Ignition switch with steering lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
212
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
215
How to start the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
216
Automatic transmission (SC400) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
217
Automatic transmission (SC300) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
229
Electronic throttle control system 241
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
242
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
246
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Page 230 of 432
STARTING AND DRIVING
212
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of
the windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the trunk lid closed. Have the
cause immediately located and corrected.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to ºONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK
Page 231 of 432
STARTING AND DRIVING
213
ºSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to the
ºONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 216.
ºONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ºONº position if the engine is
not running. The battery will discharge and the
electronic ignition system could be damaged.
ºACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position and
open the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the
key.
Page 232 of 432
STARTING AND DRIVING
214
ºLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ºACCº to the ºLOCKº position, you
must put the transmission selector lever in the ºPº position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set. See ºEngine immobiliser systemº on page
16.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ºLOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed
all the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ºACCº.