This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual transmission.
It also includes
important information on parking
your car, and
the braking system.
Driving
Preparing to Drive ......................... 130
Starting the Engine ........................ 131
Starting in Cold Weather
at High Altitude .....................
132
6-speed Manual Transmission ..... 133
Recommended Shift Points ...... 134
Engine
Speed Limiter ............... 134
Reverse Lockout.. ...................... 134
Parking ............................................ 135
The Braking System ...................... 136
Brake Wear Indicators ..............
136
Brake System Design ................ 137
Anti-lock Brakes ........................ 137
Important Safety
Reminders ..........................
138
ABS Indicator ......................... 139
Driving in Bad Weather ................ 140
Towing a Trailer ............................ 141
Driving 129
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
3. Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. The ENGINE SfARTbutton
has no effect unless the clutch
pedal is depressed.
4. Turn the ignition key to ON (II)
position.
5. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push
the ENGINE Sf ART
button.
If the engine does not start
right away, do not hold the
ENGINE Sf ART button for more
than
15 seconds at a time. Pause
for at least 10 seconds before
trying again.
Starting the Engine
6. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 5 with
the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down.
If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so
the engine does not race.
7. If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in
order to clear flooding.
As before, hold
the ENGINE
Sf ART button for no more than
15 seconds. Return to step 6 if the
engine does not start. If it starts,
lift your foot off
the accelerator
pedal so
the engine does not race.
Driving 131
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car.
The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your
car may roll
if it is parked on an
incline. If
the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb and
put
the transmission in first gear.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb and put
the transmission
in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Parking
Parking Tips
• Make sure the convertible top and
the windows are closed.
• Turn off the lights.
• Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
• Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter.
• Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials.
The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Driving 135
Important Safety Precautions
Before you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also,
be sure the engine
is off. This
will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
from engine exhaust.
Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate
the engine.
• Bums from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts.
• Injury from moving parts. Do
not run the engine unless in
structed to do so. Read
the instructions
before you
begin, and make sure you have
the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, be careful when working
around gasoline or batteries.
Use a
commercially available degreaser
or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and
all
fuel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance Safety
Maintenance 145
Service at the indicated miles x 1,000 15 30 45 60 75 90 105
distance ortime -whichever kmx 1,000 24 48 72 96 120 144 168
comes first.
months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84
Replace engine oil Replace every 7,500
miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Replace engine oil filter • •
• • • • • Check engine oil and coolant Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Replace air cleaner element • • • Inspect valve clearance Adjust only if noisy • Replace spark plugs • Inspect drive belt • • • Inspect idle speed • Replace engine coolant • • • Replace transmission fluid • Replace rear differential fluid • • • Inspect front and rear brakes • • • • • •
• Replace brake fluid • • Check parking brake adjustment • • • •
• • • Replace air conditioning filter • • • Check tire inflation and condition Every 7,500
miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and
lines (including ABS) • • • • • • • All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling
system hoses and connections
Exhaust system•
Fuel lines and connections•
148 Maintenance
120 192
96
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
U.S. Owners
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule
if the
severe driving conditions
specified in
the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only
OCCASIONALLY drive under a
"severe" condition, you should
follow
the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
#: See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty,
last column, page 147.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, Cas required for each distance/time interval. Follow this schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply. Canadian owners: Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
7,500 mi/12,000
km/- Do items in A. 15,000 m i/24,000 km/1 yr Do items in A, B. 22,500 mi/36,000 km/-
Do items in A. 30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs Do items in A, B, C. 37,500 mi/60,000 km/- Do items in A. 45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs DReplace coolant. DReplace brake fluid. Do items in A, B. 52,500 mi/84,000 km/- Do items in A. 60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs Do items in A, B, C. 67,500 mi/108,000 km/- Do items in A. 75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs DReplace coolant. Do items in A, B. 82,500 mi/132,000 km/- Do items in A. 90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs DReplace brake fluid. DReplace transmission fluid. Do items in A, B, C. 97,500 mi/156,000 km/- Do items in A. 1 05,000 m i/168,000 km/7 yrs Inspect valve clearance. DReplace coolant. Dlnspect idle speed. DReplace spark plugs. Do items in A, B. 112,500 mi/180,000 km/-Do items in A. 120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A, B, C.
Note: • Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop. • Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
A DReplace engine oil. DCheck tire inflation and condition. B DReplace engine oil filter. Dlnspect front and rear brakes. CCheck parking brake adjustment. Dlnspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots. Dlnspect suspension components. Dlnspect driveshaft boots. Dlnspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS). DC heck all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks. Dlnspect cooling system hoses and connections. D"lnspect exhaust system. D"lnspect fuel lines and connections. c DReplace air cleaner element. DReplace rear differential fluid. DReplace air conditioning filter. Dlnspect drive belt. # : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 147.
Maintenance 149
Service at the indicated miles x 1,000 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 distance or time -whichever km x 1,000 24 48 72 96 120 144 168 192 --~-~ comes first. months 12 24
36 48 60 72 84
96 Replace engine oil and oil filter Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check engine oil and coolant Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop Replace air cleaner element • • r-·-. . . ·~ • • Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions Inspect valve clearance Adjust only if noisy • Replace spark plugs • -·~-~-·-· ~~-~ f-----Inspect drive belt •
• • • Inspect idle speed I • --Replace engine coolant • • • -----Replace transmission fluid • •
• • Replace rear differential fluid • • • •
• •
• • Inspect front and rear brakes Inspect every 7,500 miles. (12,000 km) or 6 months
Replace brake fluid • -+-• Check parking brake adjustment • •
• • • • • • Replace air conditioning filter 1
" 1 •
•
• • i -~I-Lubricate al_~!lir1J:JeS, locks and latches • • • • • • • • Check tire inflation and condition Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months Suspension components, Drives haft boots -----r----~~ Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections • • • • • • • • Exhaust system", Fuel lines and connections'
1 Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
* 1: Refer to page183 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
150 Maintenance
U.S. Owners
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
MAINLY
under one or more of the
following conditions:
• Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than
10 miles (16 km) per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot
[over
90° F (32° C)] conditions.
• Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
• Driving in mountainous
conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
#: See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page 147.
Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, C, D as required for each distance/time.
3,750 mi/6,000 km/6 mos Do items in A. 7,500 mi/12,000 km/- Do items in A, B. 11,250 mi/18,000 km/-
Do items in A. 15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr Do items in A, B, C. 18,750 mi/30,000 km/- Do items in A. 22,500 mi/36,000 km/1% yrs Do items_in_A,Jt .. ~--------· ---~~---26,250 mi/42,000 km/-Do items in A. 30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 vrs Do items in A, B, C, D. 33,750 mi/54,000 km/-
Do items in A. 37,500 mi/60,000 km/2'/z vrs
Do items in A, B. 41,250 mi/66,000 km/-
Do items in A. 45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs DReplace brake fluid. DReplace coolant. Do items in A, B, C. 48,750 mi/78,000 km/- Do items in A. 52,500 mi/84,000 km/3'/z vrs Do items in A, B. 56,250 mi/90,000 km/-
Do items in A. 60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 vrs _Do items in A, B, C, D. 63,750 mi/102,000 km/-
Do items in A. 67,500 mi/108,000 km/41!2 yrs Do items in A, B. 71,250 mi/114,000 km/-
Do items in A. 75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs ']Replace coolant. Do itefY!S_lll_ A,_B_,_(:, -~--~--78,750 mi/126,000 km/-
Do items in A.
Note: • Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop. • Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
·--~
··-
Severe Conditions:
A
B
c
Driving less than 5 mi (8 km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less than 10 mi (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving. Driving in mountainous conditions.
Drivin_gon muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
[]Replace enqine oil and filter. Dlnspect front and rear brakes. DC heck tire inflation and condition. Dlnspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots. Dlnspect suspension components. Dlnspect driveshaft boots. ORe place air cleaner element. ']Check parking brake adjustment. ']Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches. ']Replace rear differential fluid.
CONTINUED
Maintenance 151