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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.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there as you hold the key in START for
about three seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing. This time keep
the pedal down for five or six seconds to clear the
extra gasoline from the engine. After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting procedure.
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2-27
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.
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
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your 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.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
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2-30
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.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake by pushing down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing the
lever all the way forward.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
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).
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2-32
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. 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 want. If you
ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try the following:
1. Turn the key to the OFF ignition position.
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. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center 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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2-44
Wiper-Activated Headlamps
This feature turns on the low
-beam headlamps,
instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds. To operate, the exterior
lamps control must be in AUTO and it must be dark
enough outside.
When the exterior lamps control is in OFF or the
parking lamp position and the windshield wiper control
is on (LO, HI or INT), the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will appear on the DIC.
When you turn the key to OFF, the wiper
-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. The
wiper
-activated headlamps will also turn off if
you turn the exterior lamps control to OFF or
turn off the windshield wipers.
Lamps on Reminder
If the exterior lamps control is left on, you'll hear a
warning chime when you turn the ignition off, remove
the key from the ignition and open the driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when the
following conditions are met:
The ignition is on,
the exterior lamps control is off, and
the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps
will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps won't be on.
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2-48 Illuminated Entry
If it is dark enough outside and you press the unlock
symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter while all
doors are closed, the interior courtesy lamps will come
on and stay on for approximately 40 seconds. When the
40 seconds are up, the lights will automatically fade
until they turn off. The lamps will turn off immediately
by pressing the lock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, by turning the ignition key to ON or by
activating the power door locks.
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door to enter your vehicle, the
interior lamps will come on if it is dark enough outside.
When you close the door with the ignition off, the
interior lamps will stay on for 25 seconds. When the
25 seconds are up the lights will automatically fade
until they turn off. Locking the doors with the power
door lock switch or with the lock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter, will override the delayed entry
lighting and the lamps will turn off immediately.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the overhead courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn
off after you remove the key from the ignition. They
will not fade if the interior lamps are manually turned
on. The lower instrument panel courtesy lamps will not
fade out.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature will turn on the interior lamps for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition
while the doors are closed and it is night. This will give
you time to find the door handle or lock switches as
you exit the vehicle. When the 25 seconds are up, or
if the key is reinserted into the ignition, the lights will
be turned off by the theater dimming system. The
lamps will turn off immediately by pressing the lock
symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter, by
turning the ignition key to ON or by activating the
power door locks.
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2-49 Parade Dimming
To activate the instrument panel backlighting during the
day, turn the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp
position. Dimming of the instrument panel display is not
possible during daylight hours. The instrument panel
display can only be adjusted when the parking lamps are
on and it is dark outside.
Perimeter Lighting
When the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter is pressed, the DRL headlamps, parking
lamps and back
-up lamps will turn on for approximately
25 seconds if it is dark enough outside.
This feature can be programmed to be on or off for each
transmitter. You can also program how long the exterior
lamps will stay on after unlocking the vehicle.
You must program this feature through the DIC. See
ªDIC Personalization Programmingº in the Index.
Front Reading Lamps
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps will come
on when you open a door. They will turn off when you
turn on the ignition. If a door is left open, they will turn
off after about 10 minutes.
To turn on the reading lamps when the doors are closed,
press the button under the lamp you want on. Press it
again to turn the lamp off.
These lamps work even when the ignition is off. To avoid
draining your vehicle's battery, be sure to turn off all
front and rear reading lamps when leaving your vehicle.
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2-55
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the master key to lock and unlock the glove box.
To open, lift the latch release on the left side of the
glove box door.
The VALET key will not work in the glove box
door lock.
Front Storage Armrest
The front armrest opens into a storage area. To open it,
push the latch at the front center of the armrest. When
the latch disengages, pull up on the armrest to open it.
Inside you will find storage for cassettes, compact discs
and coins.
In front of the storage area is a cupholder. Press and
release the cupholder cover to open. Do not try to pull it
out. Press the cupholder back to its recessed position
when not in use.
Rear Armrest
Your vehicle has a rear armrest with cupholders and
a pass
-through feature.
Rear Storage Compartment (Option)
Your vehicle may have a rear storage armrest with
cupholders and a pass
-through feature.
Lift the front of the cover on the armrest to reveal the
storage space.
Pull down the interior door to access the trunk.
Convenience Net
Your vehicle has a convenience net just inside the back
wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can. You can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when you're not using it.
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