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2-17
Content Theft Security System
(If Equipped)
Arming the System
With the ignition off, pressing the transmitter LOCK
button will arm the system immediately after all doors
and trunk are closed. If the transmitter LOCK button is
pressed again within five seconds, the horn will chirp to
confirm that the system had been armed.
Once the system is armed, the THEFT SYSTEM light
on your instrument panel will flash and remain flashing.
This confirms the system is armed and monitoring the
doors and trunk. If the light is on solid, the system is
not properly activated due to either a door or the trunk
being ajar.
If you don't want to arm the system, lock the car
with the lock levers on the doors or with the door
lock switch.
Disarming the System
If the system is armed, pressing the UNLOCK button
on the transmitter will disarm the system. The THEFT
SYSTEM light will stop flashing.
If the system is armed, turning the key to START will
also disarm the system.
If the system is armed and the trunk is opened using the
trunk release button on the transmitter, the system will
temporarily disarm itself and rearm when the trunk has
been closed. This allows the customer to exit the
vehicle, lock the doors using the transmitter, and open
the trunk using the transmitter without having to disarm
and subsequently rearm the system.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If the system is armed, opening any door or trunk,
or using a wrong key to start the vehicle will cause a
pre
-alarm chirp for 10 seconds and then a full alarm
of horn and headlights for two minutes.
If an alarm event has finished and all doors and
trunk are closed, the content theft security system
will re
-arm itself.
Page 79 of 360

2-18 How to Turn Off the System Alarm
If the system alarm is active, it can be deactivated by:
Pressing the transmitter LOCK or panic button to
turn
-off alarm. The system will also rearm if all
doors and trunk are later closed, or
pressing the transmitter UNLOCK or trunk button to
turn off the alarm and disarm system, or
putting the key in the ignition and turning it to
START to turn off the alarm and disarm the system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If you hear three horn chirps when you press the
UNLOCK, LOCK or trunk buttons on your transmitter,
that means the content theft security system alarm was
triggered while you were away.
Your dealer can change the settings to disable the
headlamp flash and horn chirp features. Your dealer can
also change the settings to allow the horn to chirp twice
on the first press of the UNLOCK button. See your
dealer for more information.
Passlock
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft
-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft
-deterrent system. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a
valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock
cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation, the THEFT SYSTEM light
will go off approximately five seconds after the key
is turned to the RUN ignition position following an
engine start.
If the engine stalls and the THEFT SYSTEM light
flashes, wait until the light stops flashing before trying
to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from
START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the THEFT SYSTEM light
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you
turn the engine off. However, your Passlock system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this
time. You may also want to check the fuses (See ªFuses
and Circuit Breakersº in the Index). See your dealer for
service. Also, see ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index
for more information.
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2-20
B (LOCK): This position locks your steering wheel,
ignition, shift lever and transaxle. This is the only
position from which you can remove the key. A warning
chime will sound if you open the driver's door when the
ignition is in LOCK and the key is in the ignition.
CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. 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.
C (OFF): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send power to any
accessories. Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never try to push
-start your
vehicle. A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver's door when the ignition is in OFF and the key
is in the ignition.
Page 82 of 360
2-21
D (RUN): This is the position to which the switch
returns, after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
E (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN allow you to operate electrical
accessories, such as the radio.Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
unless the key release
button is used.
To remove the key, turn the key to OFF. Then, while
pressing the key release button in, turn the key to LOCK
and pull it straight out.
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2-27
Automatic Transaxle Operation
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transaxle, the shift lever is located on the console
between the seats.
There are seven positions for the four
-speed automatic
transaxle. See ªForward Gearsº later in this section.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your 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 RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.) See
ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in the Index.
Page 95 of 360
2-34
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
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.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
Hold in the button on the shift lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. 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).
Page 96 of 360

2-35 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)
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. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's
seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Page 97 of 360

2-36
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
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 in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº
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 wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever).
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
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 your vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and firmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed
in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the key
and release the clutch.
See ªManual Transaxle Operationº in the Index.