Automatic Door Locks
All of the doors will lock automatically when you move
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This feature cannot
be disabled.
If someone needs to get out of the vehicle while it is not
in PARK (P), shift into PARK (P), or, have that person
use the manual lever or the power door lock switch.
When the door is closed again, it will lock when
the vehicle exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h).
With automatic door locks, you can lock or unlock the
doors at any time, either manually or by using the power
door lock switches.
Programmable Automatic Door
Unlock
Your vehicle was programmed so that all doors will
unlock automatically when the shift lever is moved into
PARK (P).
To change the way the automatic door unlocking
operates, seeDIC Vehicle Personalization (Uplevel
Only) on page 3-64.
Lockout Protection
The lockout protection feature makes it more difficult to
lock the key in the vehicle. If the driver’s door is
open while the key is in the ignition, the door cannot be
locked with the power door lock switch.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of the vehicle. If the key is not left in
the ignition, or, if the manual door lock is used, the key
could still be locked inside the vehicle. Always
remember to take the key with you.
Dual Sliding Doors
To open either sliding door from outside the vehicle, pull
the handle out and then pull the door toward the rear.
If you slide the door all the way back, the door will rest in
a detent position.
To move the door forward, you must rst pull the door
past the open detent position.
The driver’s side sliding door is designed to open only a
little if the fuel door is open. If this ever happens, do
not try to force the sliding door. Just close the driver’s
side sliding door. Then when the fuel ller door is
closed, the driver’s side sliding door can be opened
normally.
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Power Sliding Door Operation
The power sliding door(s) will only open if the transaxle
is in PARK (P). The transaxle does not have to be in
PARK (P) to close the door(s).
There are several ways to open and close the power
sliding door(s).
If your vehicle has a single power sliding door,
press the top of the overhead console PSD
activation/override (deactivation) switch.
If your vehicle has dual power sliding doors, press
the top of the driver’s side and/or passenger’s side
overhead console PSD switch.
Press the passenger PSD activation switch. This
switch will also stop a moving door immediately.
Press the power sliding door button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
To manually open the power sliding door(s) while
the switch(es) are in the activation position, pull
and release the inside or outside door handle
to release the door latch. The door will fully open.
To manually close the power sliding door(s) while
the switches are in the activation position, pull the
inside or outside door handle or the edge of
the door. Move the door about 4 inches (10 cm)
toward the closed position and release it. The door
will close completely and latch.
If a power sliding door is locked, it cannot be unlocked
and opened using the overhead console PSD
switch(es) or the passenger PSD activation switch(es).
The power sliding door must either be manually
unlocked or unlocked using the power door unlock
switch located on the driver’s or front passenger’s
armrest, and then opened using the overhead or
passenger PSD activation switch(es).
The remote keyless entry transmitter can also be used
to open the power sliding door(s). If the vehicle is
locked, press the power sliding door button(s) and all
doors will unlock and the sliding door(s) will open.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5.
If the power sliding door has been manually locked, you
must unlock the PSD before it can be opened.
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Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one speed, fast or slow, for
the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make
full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not 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.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-38for more information.
Ignition Positions
The key can be turned to one of four positions while in
the ignition switch.
A (LOCK):This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. This position locks your ignition and
transaxle.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
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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 desired gear. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-39.
{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). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-38. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
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, seeIf
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-30.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the vehicle when it
is already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also,
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
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Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and
you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The vehicle will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.
Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until
the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition
designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment
and defrost the windows more quickly. SeeClimate
Control System on page 3-24for more information.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears
When going down a steep hill
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Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located under the
instrument panel on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down on the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-35.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot while you push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you
lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop
up to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
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