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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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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
has stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle. See ªIf You're Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snowº in the Index for additional information.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the 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.
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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.
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 transaxle 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 gear shift lever indication.
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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
The horn can be sounded by pressing on the center of
the steering wheel pad.
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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Power Tilt and Telescopic Wheel
(If Equipped)
The power tilt wheel control
is located on the outboard
side of the steering column.
To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up and
the steering wheel will tilt up. Push the control down
and the steering wheel will go down.If the power tilt control is pressed up or down and held
in that position, there will be a slight movement and a
slight pause followed by a continuous movement in the
direction the control is being pressed. This allows very
fine control of the steering wheel position. If the control
is bumped, the steering wheel moves approximately
one degree in the direction commanded.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control
rearward and the steering wheel moves toward the rear
of the vehicle. To set the memory position, see ªVehicle
Programming and Personalization Featuresº and
ªMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheelº in
the Index.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer
Flash
-To-Pass
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Turn and Lane Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever on the left side of the
steering wheel all the way up or down. The lever returns
automatically when the turn is complete.
An arrow located on the
instrument panel cluster will
flash in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is complete. The lever returns when it is released.
If the turn signal is left on, a warning chime will sound
and the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display
TURN SIGNAL ON (after driving about a mile) to
remind you to turn it off.Arrows that flash rapidly when signaling for a turn or
lane change may be caused by a burned
-out signal bulb.
Other drivers won't see the turn signal.
Replace burned
-out bulbs to help avoid possible
accidents. Check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index) and check for burned
-out bulbs
if the arrow fails to work when signaling a turn.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
When the low-beam headlamps are on, push the turn
signal lever away from you to change the headlamps to
high beam.
This light on the instrument
panel cluster will be on,
indicating high
-beam usage.
Pull the turn signal lever toward you to return to
low
-beam headlamps.
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Cruise Control
The buttons 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.
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 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.
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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
cruise control.
1. Press the CRUISE ON/OFF button to turn cruise
control on. (The button is located on the bottom left
of the steering wheel.) An indicator light will come
on to show that the cruise control is on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.3. Press the SET/CST (coast) button. (The button is
located on the bottom right of the steering wheel.)
The CRUISE light will display on the instrument
panel cluster.
4. Remove your foot from 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 the vehicle is traveling approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, you can press the RES/ACC
(resume/accelerate) button to return to your desired
preset speed. The CRUISE light will be displayed again.
The vehicle will return to and stay at your preset speed.
If you press and hold the RES/ACC button, the vehicle
speed will increase until you release the button or apply
the brake. Again, unless you want to go faster, do not
press and hold the RES/ACC button.