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2-25
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving,
however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control
your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you
can damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud.
If the traction control switch is off, your vehicle will not
go into FIRST (1) gear and the vehicle will accelerate
from stop more slowly. This can help in deep snow or
mud conditions. When the traction control is turned
off, a message will be lit on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
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.
Page 86 of 359

2-26 Performance Shift Display (STS Only)
When your vehicle detects a change in driving
conditions, it will automatically initiate the appropriate
performance shift mode. When this occurs, the gear
display on the instrument panel cluster will change to
indicate that the transmission has shifted to a different
gear. For example, the gear display on the cluster may
indicate D, 3, 2, or 1 even though the gearshift lever is
still in OVERDRIVE (D). Once the performance shift
mode ends, the gear display on the cluster will return to
matching the gearshift lever indication.
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 BRAKE 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 BRAKE
indicator light comes on and stays on. See ªBrake
System Warning and Park Brake Indicator Lightº in the
Index for more information.
When you shift out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
and the engine is on, the parking brake should release.
If it doesn't, you can manually release the parking brake.
CAUTION:
Always shift to PARK (P) before pulling the
manual release lever. If your hand or arm is in
the way of the pedal you could be hurt. The pedal
springs back quickly. Keep your hand and arm
away when you use the manual release lever.
Before releasing the manual parking brake, be sure to put
the vehicle in PARK (P) and turn the ignition to OFF.
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2-27
Reach under the driver's side of the instrument panel
and pull down on the manual release lever, which is
located behind the parking brake pedal. Pull down on
the yellow tab as shown by the arrow in the illustration.
If the parking brake does not release, you should have
your vehicle towed to your dealer for service.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
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. 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, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
Page 88 of 359

2-28 Console Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into
PARK (P) by pushing
the lever all the way
toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle 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.
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2-32
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren't done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
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.)
Page 93 of 359
2-33
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 after
you 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.
Windows
Power Windows
The power window controls are located on the armrest
near each window. Press the up or down arrows on the
controls to raise or lower the windows.
Your vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
See ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
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2-43
Exterior Lamps
The control located
on the left side of the
instrument panel
operates these
lamp systems:
Parking Lamps
Headlamps
Taillamps
Sidemarker Lamps
License Plate Lamp
Underhood Lamp
Fog Lamps (STS Only)
Instrument Panel Lights
Instrument panel backlighting will dim only when it is
dark outside.
Parking Lamps
Turn the exterior lamps control knob once clockwise to
turn on the parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker lamps,
license plate lamp and underhood lamp. Turn the control
counterclockwise to turn these lamps off. The parking
brake indicator light will be on if the parking lamps are
on (with the engine off and the ignition in ACC or ON).
Headlamps
The control for the headlamps is located on the left side
of the instrument panel. Turn the exterior lamps control
knob all the way clockwise to turn the headlamps on.
Turn the control knob all the way counterclockwise to
turn the headlamps off.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds.
Page 109 of 359

2-49 Illuminated Entry
The illuminated entry system turns on the courtesy
lamps and the backlighting to the driver's door switches
and to the ignition key when a door is opened or if you
press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
unlock button. The illuminated entry system works with
the light sensor and it must be dark outside in order
for the courtesy lamps or backlighting to turn on. The
courtesy lamps turn off approximately 25 seconds after
the last door is closed or after the ignition key is turned
to RUN or if the RKE transmitter lock button is pressed.
The courtesy lamps turn off approximately 40 seconds
after the doors are unlocked with the RKE transmitter
if no door is opened.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of the instrument
panel lights during daylight while the parking lamps are
on. This feature works with the light sensor and is fully
automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness outside,
the instrument panel lights can be adjusted by following
the steps under ªInstrument Panel Intensity/Brightness
Control.º Backlighting to the instrument panel will
also turn on.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located in the roof. These lamps
and the interior courtesy lamps come on when any door
is opened and it is dark outside. The rear lamps come on
when a rear door is opened. Press the button near the
lamps to turn them on and off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle's electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle
at a higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting than
normal to make sure the battery charges. High electrical
loads may occur when several of the following are on:
headlamps, high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, high blower fan, heated seats and engine
cooling fans.