Page 89 of 371
2-22
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the
ignition switch located
on the instrument panel,
you can turn the key to
four different positions:
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine and
remove the key. This position also locks the steering
wheel and transaxle.
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2-23
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
ACC: This position lets you use things like the radio,
windshield wipers, power windows and sunroof (option)
when the engine is off. Use ACC if you must have your
vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for example, if
your vehicle is being pushed or towed).
ON: This is the position for driving.
START: This position starts the engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned from
ON to OFF:
Cellular Phone (If Equipped)
Radio
Power Windows
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Sunroof (Option)
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or if
any door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and turn the ignition key
to ON and then back to OFF. If the cellular phone is
being used while retained accessory power is active, the
timer is suspended (to avoid interruption of the call).
The timer resets to 10 minutes at the end of the call.
Page 91 of 371
2-24
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key
in START for about 10 seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
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2-27
Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks
the front wheels. It's the
best position to use when
you start the 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. 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. If you cannot
shift the shift lever all the way into PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in the Index.
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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.
Page 100 of 371
2-33
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.
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).
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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 is ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the 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 pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
Turn the ignition key to ACC. Open and close the
driver's door to turn off the retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature.
Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
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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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 SET/CST button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You will now cruise at the
higher speed.
Press the RES/ACC button. Hold it there until you
get up to the speed that you want, and then release
the button. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, briefly press the RES/ACC button and then
release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will
speed up approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you have
set the cruise control speed by pressing the
SET/CST button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press the SET/CST button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET/CST button briefly. Each time you do this, the
vehicle will slow down approximately
1 mph (1.6 km/h).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 control speed you set earlier.
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. Applying the brake or shifting
into a lower gear will take you out of cruise control.
If you need to apply the brake or shift to a lower gear
due to the grade of the downhill slope, you may not
want to attempt to use your cruise control feature.
Ending Cruise Control
To turn off the cruise control, step lightly on the brake
pedal or press the CRUISE ON/OFF button on the
steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.