Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are left on after the
ignition is turned off, a warning will sound if the driver’s
door is opened.
Daytime Running Lights (Where Applicable)
VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The low beam headlights, parking lights, side marker
lights, taillights and license plate lights are automatically
switched on whenever the vehicle is started and the
transmission gear selector is in a driving position.
VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The low beam headlights, parking lights, side marker
lights, taillights, and license plate lights are automatically
switched on whenever the vehicle is started and the
parking brake is released.
For nighttime driving, the exterior lights switch should
be in the low beam position to permit activation of the
high beam headlights.
Fog Lights (If Equipped)
To operate the fog lights, pull the headlight
switch out one stop, with the parking lights
and/or low beam headlights on. A light to the
lower left of the headlight switch will illumi-
nate when the fog lights are on.
To turn off the fog lights, push the headlight switch in
fully. Selecting high beam headlights will also turn off the
fog lights.
Standing Lights
When the vehicle is parked on the street, the standing
lights (left or right side parking lights) can be turned on,
making your vehicle more visible to passing vehicles.
To operate the standing lights, turn the headlight switch
counterclockwise one stop (right lamps) or two stops (left
lamps) from the OFF position. To turn off the standing
lights, return the headlight switch to the OFF position.
The standing lights cannot be operated when the ignition
switch is in the ON/RUN position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77
3
Using Speed Control On Hills
Your vehicle is equipped with interactive speed control.
This feature activates when driving up or down hills with
the speed control engaged and the driver’s foot off the
accelerator.
WARNING!
Speed control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
For vehicles with automatic transmission:
On a downgrade or an upgrade, downshifting will occur
automatically to allow the engine’s braking power to
maintain the set speed. When more level roadway is
reached, the transmission will automatically upshift to
fifth gear.For vehicles with manual transmission:
The set speed control is switched off when declutching
exceeds four seconds during downshifting. In some
cases, you may have to step on the brake pedal to slow
down sufficiently to achieve the desired speed.
NOTE:On very steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain
may occur. It may be preferable to drive without speed
control.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER (If Equipped)
The HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver replaces up to
three remote controls (hand-held transmitters) that oper-
ate devices such as garage door openers, motorized
gates, or home lighting. The transceiver triggers these
devices at the push of a button. The transceiver operates
off your vehicle’s battery and charging system: no bat-
teries are needed.
For additional information on HomeLink, call 1–800–
355–3515, or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97
3
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................137
▫Normal Starting......................137
▫
Extremely Cold Weather (Below -20°F Or -29°C). 138
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................138
▫After Starting........................139
Transmission Shifting...................139
▫Manual Transmission..................139
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............140
▫Automatic Transmission................141
▫Stopping...........................142
▫Maneuvering........................143▫Park Position........................143
▫Reverse............................144
▫Neutral............................144
▫Drive..............................145
▫AutoStickGear Selection...............145
▫Gear Ranges.........................146
▫Program Mode Selector Switch............147
▫Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode) . . . 148
Parking Brake.........................148
Brake System.........................150
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............150
5
STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Be sure that the parking brake is engaged and that
selector lever is in the NEUTRAL or PARK position
(gearshift lever in Neutral). Turn the key in the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. Apply the brakes before
shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmissions:
Do not depress the accelerator. Simply turn the key in the
ignition switch clockwise to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine will not run,
turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF/LOCK posi-
tion and repeat the starting procedure. If there are several
unsuccessful attempts, have the system checked at the
nearest authorized dealer.
Vehicles with manual transmissions:
Do not depress the accelerator. Fully depress the clutch
pedal, otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the
integrated safety interlock. Simply turn the key in the
ignition switch clockwise to the START position and
release when the engine starts. The starter will engage
until the engine is running. If the engine will not run,
turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF/LOCK posi-
tion and repeat the starting procedure. If there are several
unsuccessful attempts, have the system checked at the
nearest authorized dealer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 137
5
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Manual Transmission
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially on an incline. To place the transmis-
sion in REVERSE, lift up on the shifter knob, push it to
the left and pull it back.
STARTING AND OPERATING 139
5
Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
Be sure the transmission is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD),
when starting from a stopped position. Damage to the
clutch can result from starting in THIRD.
NOTE:If there is a need to restart your engine, you
must recycle your ignition switch to the OFF position
before restarting the engine.
For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, sixth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:During cold weather, until the transmission
lubricant has warmed, you may have difficulty shifting.
This is normal and not harmful to the transmission.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for both fuel economy
and performance, it should be upshifted as shown in the
chart. Shift at the vehicle speeds listed for acceleration.
Earlier upshifts during cruise conditions (relatively
steady speeds) will result in increased fuel economy, and
may be used as indicated.
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6
MPH 15 25 40 45 50
(km/h) (24) (40) (64) (72) (80)
140 STARTING AND OPERATING
With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical system, the
selector lever could remain locked in the PARK position.
To unlock the selector lever manually, insert the end of
the multipurpose tool from the glove box (or ball point
pen) into the covered opening below the position “D” of
the shift pattern. While pushing the tool down, move the
selector lever out of the PARK position. After removal of
the tool from the opening, the cover will not close fully.
Only after moving the selector lever to the “D+” and
“D-” positions does the cover return to its closed posi-
tion.Reverse
Shift into REVERSE gear only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch position
“S” or “W,” the maximum speed in the REVERSE gear is
different. However, it is not possible to change the
program mode while in REVERSE.
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage in
NEUTRAL position while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
NOTE:Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in
transmission damage that is not covered by the Limited
Warranty.
144 STARTING AND OPERATING
Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in
Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission.
This condition may be accompanied by the CHECK
ENGINE light in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the SECOND gear or REVERSE gear
can be activated.
To engage SECOND gear or REVERSE:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the selector lever to the PARK position.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move the selector lever to the DRIVE position (for
SECOND gear), or move the selector lever to the RE-
VERSE position (for REVERSE gear).Have the transmission checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
PARKING BRAKE
When you apply the parking brake with engine
running, the brake system warning light in the
instrument cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light, when illuminated with parking brake
application, shows only that the parking brake is on. It
does not show the degree of brake application.
NOTE:If the light remains on with the parking brake
released, a brake system malfunction is indicated. Have
the brake system serviced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. For manual transmission vehicles,
place the gear selector in REVERSE. For vehicles
equipped with automatic transmissions, place the gear
selector in the PARK position.
148 STARTING AND OPERATING