
B (LOCK):This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transaxle.
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 these works, then your vehicle needs
service.
C (OFF):This position unlocks the ignition, steering
wheel 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.
D (RUN):This is the position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
ignition key. This is the position for driving. 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 ignition key. The switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.If the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and RUN are
positions that allow you to operate your electrical
accessories, such as the radio.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, the power windows, power rear quarter
windows, audio system and the automatic level control
will continue to work up to 10 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to OFF and none of the doors are
opened.
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:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transmission. 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 warms up.
2-32

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 the engine doesn't start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way
down while you turn the key to START. Do this until
the engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of
the key.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine
still won't start or starts brie¯y but then stops again,
repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on the temperature.
When the engine starts, release the key and
the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In
very cold weather, 0ÉF (-18ÉC) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32ÉF (0ÉC), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
2-33

PARK (P):This gear position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle can't move easily.
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
applyyour regular brakesbeforeyou can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. As you step on the
brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you may hear a
click from the solenoid of the system. This ensures that
the system is operating properly.
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 2-41.
{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.
Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are 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 are pulling a trailer, see ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index.
2-35

·Move the lever up as far as it will go.
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).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{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 ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is ®rmly 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 ®rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
2-40

Torque Lock
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 ®nd 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 ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-39.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou 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).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fullyapplyyour regular
brakesbeforeyou can shift from PARK (P), when
the ignition is in RUN.
As you step on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you
may hear a click from the solenoid of the system.
This ensures that the system is operating properly. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-34.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
try to 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 this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle ®xed as soon as you can.
2-41

Entering Programming Mode
To program features, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. The content theft-deterrent system must be
disarmed. See
Content Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-27.
2. Remove the BCM PRGRM fuse from the instrument
panel fuse block, located to the right of the glove
box. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-96.
3. Close the driver's door.
4. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY.
5. Count the number of chimes you hear. You will
hear two to four chimes depending on the features
your vehicle is equipped with. Refer to the chart
shown previously.
You can now program your choices.
To exit the programming mode, follow the steps listed
under
Exiting Programming Mode on page 2-70.
Delayed Illumination and Exit
Lighting
This feature allows you to customize the interior lamps
when entering and exiting the vehicle.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:Both Features Off (The interior lamps will turn
on or off at the same instant that a door is opened or
closed.)
Mode 2:Delayed Illumination Only (The interior lamps
will stay on for about 25 seconds after all the doors
and liftgate are closed, or until you lock the doors.)
Mode 3:Exit Lighting Only (The interior lamps will come
on whenever you remove the key from the ignition
and stay on for about 25 seconds, or until you lock
the doors.)
Mode 4:Both Features On (This combines
Modes 2 and 3.)
2-62

Your vehicle was originally programmed to Mode 3. The
mode may have been changed since then. To
determine the current mode, or to change the mode, do
the following:
1. Follow the instructions for
Entering Programming
Mode on page 2-62.
2. Press LOCK on the power door lock switch.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes indicates the vehicle's current
programmed mode. (If you do not wish to change
the current mode, you can either exit the
programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature
available on your vehicle.)
4. Press LOCK to change the current mode.
5. Press LOCK until you hear the number of chimes
corresponding to the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Last Door Locking and Lockout
Deterrent
This feature allows you to customize the automatic
locking of the doors when exiting the vehicle.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:Both Features Off (Doors will always lock
immediately when you press LOCK on the power door
lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter.)
Mode 2:Lockout Deterrent Only (If you leave your key
in the ignition with the driver's door open, you won't
be able to lock the doors with the power door locks.)
Mode 3:Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter
is used to lock the vehicle while any door or the
liftgate is open, you will hear three chimes. The doors
will not lock. Five seconds after the last door is
closed, all doors and the liftgate will lock.)
Mode 4:Both Features On (This combines
Modes 2 and 3.)
2-64

Your vehicle was originally programmed to Mode 4. The
mode may have been changed since then. To
determine the current mode, or to change the mode, do
the following:
1. Follow the instructions for
Entering Programming
Mode on page 2-62.
2. Press UNLOCK on the power door lock switch.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes indicates the vehicle's current
programmed mode. (If you do not wish to change
the current mode, you can either exit the
programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature
available on your vehicle.)
4. Press UNLOCK to change the current mode.
5. Press UNLOCK until you hear the number of chimes
corresponding to the mode selection you want.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Remote Driver Unlock Control
This feature allows you to customize the UNLOCK
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:Remote All Doors Unlock (When you press
UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry transmitter,
all doors and the liftgate will unlock.)
Mode 2:Remote Driver's Door Unlock Only (When you
press UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry
transmitter once, the driver's door will unlock. When you
press UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry
transmitter again within ®ve seconds, all doors and the
liftgate will unlock.)
Your vehicle was originally programmed to Mode 2. The
mode may have been changed since then. To
determine the current mode, or to change the mode, do
the following:
1. Follow the instructions for
Entering Programming
Mode on page 2-62.
2. Press UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
2-65