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CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the malfunction indicator
light on may result in further damage to the
emission control system. Continued driving could
also affect fuel economy and driveability.
²If the light does not illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to the ªONº position (bulb check),
have the system checked at an authorized dealer.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the battery cable when the
Malfunction indicator light (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) is
ON.
The engine electronic control module stores critical OBD
data, which may be lost if the battery is disconnected.
This can make rapid diagnosis more difficult.
If the fuel tank filler cap is not secured properly, the
light may come on. Be sure the fuel tank filler tube cap
is tightened every time you add fuel. (Turn the fuel
tank filler cap clockwise until you hear clicking
sounds.)Overheating warning light
If the warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, it is possible that the
engine is overheated.
Immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and make the necessary corrections.
(Refer to ``Engine overheating'' on page 272.)
While driving, care should always be taken to maintain
the normal operating temperature.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)-air bag
warning light
This light illuminates when the Supplemen-
tal Restraint System-air bag is not working
properly. It will also illuminate for about 7
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
position or after the engine is started. The light should
then go out.
Check the light every time the vehicle is started.
If it does not illuminate, or stays on for more than
approximately 7 seconds after the ignition key is turned
ªONº or after the engine is started, or if it comes on while
114 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Page 118 of 382

COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, DIMMER AND
TURN SIGNAL LEVER
Headlights
Rotate the switch to operate the lights.
OFF - All lights off
- Parking, tail, front and rear side marker, license
plate and instrument panel lights on
- Headlights and other lights on
NOTE: Do not leave the headlights and other lamps on
for a long time while the engine is not running. A
discharged battery could result.
Light auto-cutout feature (headlights, fog lights,
etc.)
1. This feature will help prevent a discharged battery. If
the headlamps are left on ª
ºorªº when leaving
the vehicle (ignition key removed, in ªACCº or ªLOCKº
position), the lights will stay on for approximately 10
minutes and then turn off.
2. If the light switch is turned to ON ª
ºorªº
again, the light auto-cutout will not function and the
headlamps will stay on.
When you want to keep the lights on (time delay):
The lights can be made to stay on for about 60 seconds
after the driver leaves the vehicle. This feature provides
the safety of headlight illumination when leaving your
vehicle in an unlighted area.E11A0320
118 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Page 122 of 382
NOTE
1. If the headlights are switched to high beam, the fog
lights will go out; they will illuminate again when the
headlights are switched back to low beam.
2. If the light switch is rotated to OFF while the fog lights
are illuminated, they will automatically turn off. They
can be turned back on again by moving the light switch
back to ON and pressing the fog light switch again.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH
Press the flasher switch and the front and rear turn
signals will flash intermittently, as the hazard warning
lights. This is an emergency warning system and is not
intended for use when the vehicle is in motion.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle, the flasher system
will continue to operate with the ignition key removed.
NOTE: If the lights are kept flashing for several hours,
the battery will be discharged (rundown), resulting in
hard engine starting or a no start condition.
E16A0520
122 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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It will turn off automatically in about 17 minutes.
To turn off the defogger before 17 minutes has lapsed,
push the switch again.
CAUTION!
²The rear window defroster is not designed to melt
snow. Remove snow before use of the rear win-
dow defroster.
²Use the rear window defroster only after the
engine has started and is running.
Be sure to turn the defroster switch off immedi-
ately after the window is clear in order to prevent
excessive battery discharge.
²Do not place stickers, tape or other items that are
attached with adhesive over the grid wires on the
rear window.
²When cleaning the inside rear window from in-
side, use a soft cloth and wipe lightly over the
heating wires.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
The windshield wipers can be operated when the wiper
lever is moved as illustrated above and the ignition key is
in the ªONº or ªACCº position.
MIST = Misting function
The wipers will operate once
OFF = Off
INT = Speed sensitive
Interval between wipers varies in accordance
with vehicle speed
E13A1500
124 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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Push the light switch (A) to turn on the light, and push
the light switch again to turn them off.
LIGHTS (DOME LIGHTS, ETC.) AUTO-CUTOUT
FUNCTION
If any of the interior lights is left on with the ignition key
in the ``LOCK'' position, the light goes off automatically
after approximately 30 minutes to prevent the battery
from running down.
The light comes on again if the ignition key is turned to
the9ON9or9ACC9position (except ``Dome Light'' Type
2), or ``ON'' position (``Dome light'' Type 2 only), any
door is opened and closed, or the keyless entry system is
operated.
G08C0070
128 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
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NOTE: For vehicles with an automatic transaxle, the key
cannot be removed unless the selector lever is set to the
ªPº (PARK) position.
ACC
Allows operation of electrical accessories with the engine
off.
START
Engages the starter. After the engine starts, release the
key and it will return automatically to the ªONº position.
ON
The engine runs and all accessories can be used.
NOTE:Do not use the ªONº position to operate acces-
sories.
CAUTION!
²Do not remove the ignition key from the ignition
switch while driving. The steering wheel will
lock, causing loss of control.
²If the engine is turned off while driving, the
power brake servomechanism will cease to func-
tion and braking efficiency will deteriorate. Also,
the power steering system will not function and it
will require greater effort to operate the steering.
²Do not leave the key in the ªONº position for a
long time when the engine is not running; doing
so will cause the battery to discharge.
²Do not turn the key to the ªSTARTº position
when the engine is running; doing so could dam-
age the starter motor.
KEY REMINDER CHIME
If the driver's door is opened while the ignition key is in
the ªLOCKº or ªACCº position, a warning chime
sounds.
148 STARTING AND DRIVING
Page 149 of 382

THEFT PROTECTION
CAUTION!
Always remove the key from the ignition switch and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Always try to park your vehicle in a well lighted
area.
The ignition key can only be removed in the ªLOCKº
position. If the key is left in the lock cylinder, a warning
chime sounds when the driver's door is opened.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a Theft-alarm
system, refer to ªTheft-alarm systemº.
STEERING LOCK
Withdraw the key and the steering wheel will be locked.
Turn the steering wheel to confirm that it is locked.
CAUTION!
If your vehicle needs to be towed, turn the key to the
(ACC(position to unlock the steering wheel.
STARTING
Tips for starting
1. Do not operate the starter motor continuously for
longer than 15 seconds at a time; doing so could run
down the battery. If the engine does not start, turn the
ignition switch back to ªLOCKº, wait a few seconds, and
then try again.
2. If the engine will not start because the battery is weak
or dead, refer to ªJump-starting the engineº section (page
273) for instructions on starting the engine.
3. The engine is well warmed up if the pointer of the
coolant temperature gauge starts to move. Extended
warm up operation will result in excessive fuel consump-
tion.
STARTING AND DRIVING 149
5
Page 152 of 382

CAUTION!
The electronically controlled transaxle system is
strictly intended to provide supplementary func-
tions. When driving downhill under certain condi-
tions, or immediately after starting when the auto-
matic transaxle is cold, no automatic shift-down may
be made. The driver should shift down to a low gear
(3rd gear or 2nd gear), which will permit the engine
to exert a braking effect.
NOTE: During the brake-in period or immediately after
re-connection of the battery cable, the vehicle may not
shift as smoothly. This does not indicate a faulty trans-
mission. The transaxle system must have a short period
to learn parameters for proper shifting. Shifting will
become smooth after the transaxle has been shifted
several times by the electronic control system.
Selector lever operation
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped
with an automatic transaxle have a shift-lock device that
holds the selector lever in the ªPº (PARK) position. To
move the selector lever from the ªPº (PARK) position to
another position, follow the steps below.
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Move the selector lever to the desired position.
NOTE: The selector lever cannot be moved from ªPº
(PARK) to another position if the ignition key is at the
ªLOCKº position, removed, or if the brake pedal is not
depressed and held down.
152 STARTING AND DRIVING