Trunk Lock Release
The trunk lock release
button is located to the left
of the steering wheel on
the instrument panel.
Press the button to open the trunk. To use this feature,
your vehicle must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
and the valet lockout switch must be off.
You can also press the button with the trunk symbol on
the remote keyless entry transmitter to open the
trunk. To disable this feature, see ªValet Lockout Switchº
under
Theft-Deterrent Systems on page 2-19.
Trunk Lid Tie Down
{CAUTION:
Driving with the trunk lid open can allow
dangerous CO (carbon monoxide) gas to come
into your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you ever need to drive with your trunk lid
open, then:
·Make sure all windows, the rear seat
pass-through and sunroof are closed.
·Turn the fan on your heating and cooling
system to its highest speed, with the
setting on AUTO and temperature between
65ÉF (18ÉC) and 85ÉF (29ÉC). This forces
fresh outside air into your vehicle.
·Open all air ducts on the instrument panel.
Don't use the trunk lid tie down if you are
towing a trailer because of the danger of CO.
2-12
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
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 Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Don't
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 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, you can turn the key
to four different positions.
If you cannot start your vehicle and you are unable to
remove your key from the ignition, see ªShift Lock
Releaseº later in this section for more information.
2-23
PARK (P):This position 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 ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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. 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)
while the ignition key is in ON. 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. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on
page 2-37. Column Shifter (Digital and Analog Cluster similar)
2-28
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
·When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power. You
can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
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 shift lever is put in FIRST
(1), the transaxle won't shift into ®rst gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)
Notice:If your front wheels won't turn, 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 overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Performance Shifting (DTS 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 3 or 2 even though the gearshift is still in
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X). Once the performance
shift mode ends, the gear display on the instrument
panel cluster will return to normal.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to do
the following:
·Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P), and
·prevent movement of the console shift lever
(DTS only) out of PARK (P) unless the ignition is in
a position other than OFF. The shift lock release
is always functional except in the case of a
dead battery or low voltage (less than 9 V) battery.
The following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to OFF and for ignition key removal in case of a
dead battery or low voltage battery for vehicles equipped
with a column shift lever.
2-30
Before releasing the manual parking brake, be sure to
put the vehicle in PARK (P) and turn the ignition to OFF.
Reach under the driver's side of the instrument panel
and pull down on the manual release lever, which
is located behind the parking brake pedal. Pull down on
the yellow tab as shown by the arrow in the illustration.
If the parking brake does not release, you should
have your vehicle towed to your dealer for service.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.
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 ®rmly 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.
2-34
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
ªWinter Drivingº in the Index.
{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 ®rmly 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
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-34.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a trailer,
also see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.
2-39
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into REVERSE (R) and the vehicle speed is less
than 3 mph (5 km/h). When the system comes on,
the three lights on the display will illuminate to let you
know that the system is working. URPA senses
how close your vehicle is to an object. The distance is
determined by the four ultrasonic sensors located on the
rear bumper. When you shift into REVERSE (R) and
an object is detected, the following will occur in
sequence depending on the distance from the object:
·At 5 feet (1.5 m) a chime will sound and one
amber light will be lit;
·at 40 inches (1.0 m) both amber lights will be lit;
·at 20 inches (0.5 m) a continuous chime will sound
and all three lights (amber/amber/red) will be lit;
and
·at 1 foot (0.3 m) a continuous chime will sound and
all three lights (amber/amber/red) will ¯ash.
URPA can detect objects 3 inches (7.6 cm) and wider,
and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) tall, but it cannot detect
objects that are above trunk level. In order for the
rear sensors to recognize an object, it must be within
operating range.If the URPA system is not functioning properly, the
display will ¯ash red, indicating that there is a problem.
The light will also ¯ash red while driving if a trailer is
attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle or object is on the
back of, or hanging out of your trunk. The light will
continue to ¯ash until the trailer or the object is removed
and your vehicle is driven forward at least 15 mph
(25 km/h).
It may also ¯ash red if the ultrasonic sensors are not
kept clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free of
mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush or materials such as
paint or the system may not work properly. If after
cleaning the rear bumper and driving forward at least
15 mph (25 km/h), the display continues to ¯ash red, see
your dealer. For cleaning instructions, see
Cleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-88.
It may also ¯ash red if your vehicle is moving in
REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Other conditions that may affect system performance
include things like the vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
As always, drivers should use care when backing up a
vehicle. Always look behind you, being sure to check
for other vehicles, obstructions and blind spots.
3-26
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK
ENGINE light comes on to indicate that there is a
problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will
be indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modi®cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi®cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light doesn't come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
·Light FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emissio control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
·Light On SteadyÐ An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
·Reducing vehicle speed.
·Avoiding hard accelerations.
·Avoiding steep uphill grades.
·If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops ¯ashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
3-51