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The BeltMinder feature can be deactivated/activated
by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
²The parking brake is set.
²The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or the neutral position (manual
transmission).
²The ignition switch is in the OFF position.
²All vehicle doors are closed.
²The driver's safety belt is unbuckled.
²The parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If
vehicle is equipped with Autolamps, this will not
affect the procedure).
To reduce the risk of injury, do not
deactivate/activate the Belt Minder feature
while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON)
position. (DO NOT START THE ENGINE.)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off.
(Approximately 1±2 minutes.)
²Steps 3±5 must be completed within 60 seconds
or the procedure will have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times,
ending with the safety belt unbuckled. This can be
done before or during BeltMinder warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the
parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times,
ending with the safety belt unbuckled.
²After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be
turned on for three seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning
light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety
belt.
Seating and Safety Restraints
117
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running. For manual
transmission, you must
depress the ignition
release lever.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel, automatic
transmission gearshift lever and allows key removal.
For manual transmission, you must depress the
ignition release lever.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel. This position
also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to
be moved from the P (Park) position without the
brake pedal being depressed.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning
lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain
control system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
3
1
2
5
4
Driving
136
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If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
²Make sure the
parking brake is set.
²Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual transmission:
²Make sure the parking brake is set.
²Push the clutch
pedal to the floor.
3. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
If there is difficulty in
turning the key, firmly
rotate the steering
wheel left and right
until the key turns
freely. This condition may occur when:
²front wheels are turned
²front wheel is against the curb
²steering wheel is turned when getting in or out of
the vehicle
1
2
34
5
Driving
138
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Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
Note:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the
key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
1. Turn the key to 5
(START) without
pressing the
accelerator pedal and
release as soon as the
engine starts. The key
will return to 4 (ON).
2. If the temperature is
above ±12É C (10É F) and the engine does not start
within five seconds on the first try, turn the key to
OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again.
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
1504
5
6
7
8 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
3
2
1
5
4
Driving
139
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3. If the temperature is below -12É C (10É F) and
the engine does not start in 15 seconds on the first
try, turn the key OFF and wait 10 seconds and try
again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
press the accelerator pedal all the way to floor and
hold. Turn the key to START position.
4. When the engine starts, release the key, then
release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine
speeds up.
5. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake
and release the parking brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant,
which improves starting, warms up the engine faster
and allows the heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach -23É C (-10É F) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not harm the engine,
so the heater can be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded electrical systems
or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is
present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
Driving
140
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BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not
indicate a performance concern with the vehicle's
brake system. In normal operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or intermittent squeal
or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the first few brake
applications in the morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking,
the brake linings may be worn-out and should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
If you are driving down a long or steep hill,
shift to a lower gear. Do not apply your
brakes continuously, as they may overheat and
become less effective.
Parking brake
Apply the parking
brake whenever the
vehicle is parked. To
set the parking brake,
apply the brake pedal
and pull the parking
brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
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Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First
Gear) (manual transmission).
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a
moving vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail,
the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle
in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance
will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle
will be adversely affected.
To release the parking
brake, the brake
handle may need to be
pulled up slightly to
release pressure before
pushing in the button.
Push the button on the
end of the parking brake
handle and push the handle down as far as possible.
Driving with the parking brake applied will cause the
brakes to wear out quickly and reduce fuel economy.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking
system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal may be observed
during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled
with noise while braking under panic conditions or
on loose gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads is
normal and indicates proper functioning of the
vehicle's anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a
self-check after you start the engine and begin to
drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be heard
during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is
found, the ABS warning light will come on. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder in the
steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
Driving
143
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The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications and
compensates for this
tendency. The wheels
are prevented from
locking even when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned
to the ON position. If the light does not illuminate
momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to
flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on,
the anti-lock brake
system is disabled and
normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released. (If your
brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency
from the four-wheel ABS is required, apply
continuous force on the brake. The four wheel
ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing
you to retain full steering control of your vehicle
and, providing there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the
vehicle to a controlled stop.
²The anti-lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce
P!
BRAKE
Driving
144