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2-26
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave with the ignition key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
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).
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2-27 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 ªtorque lock.º 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º 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).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has 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 ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº 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.
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Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. (See
ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
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2-34 Windshield Washer
At the end of the right-hand lever on the steering wheel,
there is a wiper symbol. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the button on the end of the lever. The
wipers will run for several sweeps and then either stop
or return to your preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
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.
CAUTION:
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.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
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.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system (optional with the 3.5L V6 engine) or
enhanced traction system (3800 V6 engine) begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. (See ªTraction Control Systemº or
ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the Index.) When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
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Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
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.
1. Press the CRUISE
button on the right side
of the instrument panel
to turn it on. A light on
the button will indicate
that the system is on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the COAST SET
button on your steering
wheel and release it.
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,
press CLEAR on the steering wheel or
press the CRUISE button on the instrument panel.
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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.
Once you're going about
25 mph (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.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
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 button. (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.)
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
COAST SET 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.
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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:
Step lightly on the brake pedal,
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.Exterior Lamps
The lamp controls are located on the multifunction
lever on the left of the steering wheel. They control
these systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Turn the end of the lever to this symbol to turn on
the headlamps and other operating lamps.
Turn the end of the lever to this symbol to turn
on the parking and other operating lamps without
the headlamps.
Turn the end of the lever to OFF to turn off the lamps.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when you turn the ignition switch to OFF or ACC
with the lamps on.
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2-38 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,
the headlamp switch is off and
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
on the left side of the
instrument panel.
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