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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle
Operationº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down, but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to do
the following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P), and
Prevent movement of the console shift lever (DTS
only) out of PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a
position other than OFF. The shift lock release is
always functional except in the case of a dead battery
or low voltage (less than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there is a procedure that will allow you to
override the shift lock release.
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The following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to OFF and for key removal in case of a dead or low
voltage battery.
1. Verify that the shift lever
is in PARK (P).
2. Locate the override
access slot underneath
the steering column
below the lock cylinder.
3. Remove the override access slot cap.
4. Insert a screwdriver into the access slot, press in
and hold.
5. Turn the ignition to OFF.
6. Remove the screwdriver from the slot.
7. Remove the key from the ignition.
8. Replace the override access slot cap.The following procedure applies only to vehicles with
the console shift lever and is used to shift the transaxle
out of PARK (P) (if the vehicle needs to be towed,
for example) in case of a dead or low voltage battery.
The console shift lock
release is located on the
front of the center console.
To access the shift lock release, do the following:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Pull up the rubber mat located on the front of the
center console.
3. Remove the shift lock release hole cover by prying it
open with a coin or small diameter screwdriver.
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4. Press the shift lock
release toward the front
of the vehicle and hold
it there.
5. While applying the brakes, shift the transaxle from
PARK (P) as needed.
6. Reinstall the shift lock release hole cover and the
rubber mat.Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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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.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel is an active horn switch. Press on the
pad near the horn symbols to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
The tilt wheel control is
located on the outboard side
of the steering column.
Tilt steering allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. Raising the steering wheel to the
highest level gives your legs more room when you enter
and exit the vehicle.
Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever toward you to
bring the steering wheel close to you. Adjust the steering
wheel to a comfortable position and then release the
lever to lock it into place.
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Windshield Washer
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.
At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever there is
a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer
fluid on the windshield, press and release this paddle.
The wipers will clear the windshield and either stop or
return to your preset speed. For more washer cycles,
press and hold the paddle.
LOW WASHER FLUID will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the washer fluid reaches
a low level.
Cruise Control
The controls to operate cruise control are located on the
steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful on
long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h). When cruise control is on, you
will see a CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster.
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
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Exterior Lamps
This control on the left
side of the instrument
panel operates
the following:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Parking Lamps
Turn the knob clockwise to the first stop, to turn on the
parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and license plate
lamps. If it is night, the instrument panel switch
backlighting will also illuminate. Turn the knob
counterclockwise all the way back to turn off the lamps
and lights.
Headlamps
Turn the knob clockwise all the way to turn on the
parking lamps and headlamps. Turn the control knob
counterclockwise to turn the lamps off.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds. To operate, the Twilight
Sentinel
feature must be turned on. See ªTwilight
Sentinelº in the Index for more information.
When the exterior lamp control is in the off or parking
lamp position and the wiper control is on (delay, LO or
HI), the HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message will
appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel
Intensity/Brightness Control
The displays automatically dim when it becomes dark
outside and your lights are on. The displays automatically
brighten when it becomes light outside. Backlighting
will only remain active as long as the parking lamps
are on and it is dark outside. The brightness of the
backlighting can be adjusted by using the instrument
panel brightness control.
The button is located to
the right of the Twilight
Sentinel control. Push the
button in to release it to
the outward position.
Turn the button counterclockwise to dim and clockwise
to brighten the lighting. Push the button in to return it to
the original storage position.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps are located on the headliner above
the rear seat. These lamps come on by turning the
instrument panel brightness control fully clockwise or
when any door is opened and it is dark outside. Puddle
lamps are located on the bottom of the front and rear
door trim.
Illuminated Entry
The illuminated entry system turns on the courtesy
lamps and the backlighting to the door switches and
to the lamp control knob when a door is opened or if
you press the remote keyless entry transmitter unlock
button. If activated due to the transmitter, the lighting
will remain active for about 40 seconds. Since the
illuminated entry system uses the light sensor, it must be
dark outside in order for the courtesy lamps to turn on.
The courtesy lamps turn off approximately 25 seconds
after the last door is closed. They will dim to off if the
ignition key is placed in ON, or immediately deactivate
if the power locks are activated.
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Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the digital displays
and backlighting during daylight hours when the key is
in the ignition and the headlamps are on. This feature
operates with the light sensor for the Twilight Sentinel
and is fully automatic. When the light sensor reads
darkness outside and the parking lamps are active,
the digital displays can be adjusted by turning the lamp
control knob counterclockwise to dim and clockwise to
brighten lighting.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console
on the headliner and in the rear door opening. These
lamps come on automatically when any door is opened
and it is dark outside. For manual operation, press the
button to turn them on. Press it again to turn them 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 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 RPM (revolutions per minute) 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.