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Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever located
on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your 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.
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.
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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 an on position. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever on floor
shift console models.) See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in the Index.
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
is stopped.
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.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your 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.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
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FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't
shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
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 overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Performance Shifting (Option)
Press PERFORM SHIFT to
allow the transaxle to shift
at higher engine speeds,
increasing acceleration
performance. An indicator
light on the switch will
glow when performance
shifting is in operation.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of
accelerator application while you're in the
PERFORM SHIFT mode.
Press NORMAL SHIFT to have the transaxle shift at
lower engine speeds, increasing fuel economy. An
indicator light on the switch will glow when normal
shifting is in operation.
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Windows
Power Windows
Switches on the driver's door panel control each of the
windows when the ignition is on or when retained
accessory power is active. In addition, each passenger
door has a control switch for its own window.Express
-Down Window
When the driver's window switch is held rearward
briefly, the window will lower completely. The window
can be opened in smaller amounts by pressing the switch
rearward and releasing it immediately.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the
switch again, then release. To raise the window, hold the
switch forward.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel is an active horn switch. Press anywhere
on the pad to sound the horn.
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Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel into place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer
Flash
-To-Pass Feature
Windshield Wipers and Washer
Cruise Control
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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 optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. (See
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.) When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.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. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
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,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A
(resume/accelerate) briefly.
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A. Twilight Sentinel/Headlamp Switch
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
D. Instrument Cluster/Gages
E. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls
F. Ignition SwitchG. Air Outlet
H. Climate Control System
I. Glove Box
J. Audio System
K. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
L. Hood Release
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2-68 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning
Light (Option)
This warning light should come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning light doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you're
driving, there may be a problem with your traction
control system and your vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.