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Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a tone reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you take the key with you, and you have an
automatic transaxle, it will be locked. And remember to
lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your key?
If possible, park in a busy, well
-lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
Be sure to close and lock the storage area.
Close all windows.
Lock all the doors except the driver's.
If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.
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Content Theft-Deterrent System
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle's theft-deterrent system is designed to
activate an alarm if any of the side doors or the liftgate
is forcibly unlocked or if the battery terminal is
disconnected and then reconnected while the system
is set.
The alarm will sound the horn intermittently and flash
the headlamps, turn signal lamps and interior lights. If
the driver's or front passenger's side doors are unlocked
forcibly, the other side doors and the liftgate will be
locked automatically.
Setting the System
To set the system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position and
remove it.
2. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle.
3. Close and lock all the side doors and liftgate with the
key or remote keyless entry transmitter.
The indicator light located
on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel
will come on when all the
side doors and liftgate are
closed and locked.
The system will be automatically set after 30
seconds. When the system is set, the indicator light
will start flashing.
4. After the indicator light starts flashing, you may
leave the vehicle.
Do not leave anyone in the vehicle when you set the
system, because unlocking the vehicle from the
inside will activate the system.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.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.
LOCK (A): This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transaxle. Push in the ignition
switch as you turn the key toward you.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
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CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK and removing it 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 ACC. Don't push the key in
while the vehicle is moving.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): This position operates some
of your electrical accessories (such as the radio, but not
the ventilation fan). It unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition. To move the key from ACC to LOCK, push in
the key and then turn it to LOCK.
ON (C): This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the ON position when the engine is running.
But even when the ignition is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical accessories (including the
ventilation fan and 115 volt power outlet) and to display
some warning and indicator lights.START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate some of your electrical accessories.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
when the ignition is still in ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
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.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several
different positions
for your shift lever.
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.
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.
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Ensure that 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. 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 release the shift lever button as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out
of PARK (P)º in the index.
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.
CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear 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
into a drive gear 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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DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you're:
Going less than about 27 mph (43 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 29 mph (47 km/h) or more, push your
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power than
DRIVE (D) but lower fuel economy. 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) for front
-wheel
drive vehicles or 59 mph (96 km/h) for all
-wheel
drive vehicles, or you can damage your engine.
LOW (L): This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2) but lower fuel economy. You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift
lever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle won't shift into
low gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can'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.
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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.
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 and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
To sound the horn, press anywhere on the horn pad on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering column allows you to adjust the steering
column before you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located
underneath the steering
wheel column.
To tilt the column, move the lever downward. Adjust the
steering wheel to a comfortable position, then move the
lever upward to lock the column in place.