Page 161 of 277

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers and
accessories must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label
on the driver’s doorjamb.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf . They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals or the seat.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving so that someone in the
passenger seat can avoid injuries
to their knees in a crash or a
sudden stop.
Do not store any perishable items
near the IMA battery vent (see
page ).
Do not put any objects on the IMA
battery air intake on the rear shelf
(see page ).
49
161 161
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo
160
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Page 162 of 277
Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake or put any small f oreign
objects in it. This may damage the
IMA battery and the power control
unit.Air used to cool the IMA battery is
vented into the right side of the
trunk. Do not leave perishable items
near this vent.
The air intake for the IMA battery
and electronics is located on top of
the rear shelf . Do not block this air
intake; it may cause the IMA battery
and the power control unit to
overheat, causing the IMA system to
shut down. It will start working again
af ter it cools.
Carrying Cargo
IMA Battery Air Intake
IMA Battery Air Vent
Bef ore Driving
161
AIR INTAKE AIR VENT
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Page 163 of 277
Page 164 of 277

........................
Preparing to Drive .164
.......................
Starting the Engine .165
..............
Automatic Transmission .166
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .166
.......................................
Shif ting .166
..............
Engine Speed Limiter .168
....................
Shif t Lock Release .169
............................
Auto Idle Stop .171
...........
Auto Idle Stop Indicator .172
...........................................
Parking .173
.............................
Braking System .174
...............
Brake System Design .174
.............
Brake Wear Indicators .174
...........
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .175
Activating the Anti-lock ................................
Brakes .175
........................
ABS Indicator .175
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .177
.........
VSA Activation Indicator .177
..............
VSA System Indicator .177
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .178
...........................
Towing a Trailer .179
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA) system, and f acts you need if
you are planning to tow a trailer.
Driving
Driving
163
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Page 165 of 277
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ). Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the seat adjustment (see
pages to ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see pages to
).
3. 2. 1.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
10. 16
85 87
88 89 75 68
53
Preparing to Drive
164
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Page 166 of 277

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in START (III) f or more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine does not start right away,
pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. Return
to step 5 if the engine does not
start.In cold weather, conventional starter
is used instead of the IMA system
starter. This is normal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
77
Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather
Driving
165
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
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Page 167 of 277

These indicators between the tacho-
meter and speedometer show which
position the shif t lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
To shif t f rom any position, press the
release button on the bottom of the
shif t lever to move it. You cannot
shif t out of Park when the ignition
switch is in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR
Dto2 2to1
1to2
2toD
DtoD DtoN
DtoD NtoDRtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.
3
3
3
3
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Shif ting
166
SHIFT LEVER
RELEASE BUTTON
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Page 168 of 277

µµ
µ µ
µ
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park. The shif t lever must be in Park
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch. Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
shif t f rom Park to Reverse. To shif t
from Reverse to Neutral, come to a
completestopandthenshift. This position is similar
to D, except only the first three
gears are selected instead of all f ive.
Use D when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain, or to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D can
also keep the transmission f rom
cycling between third and f ourth
gears in stop-and-go driving.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear for the vehicle speed
and acceleration. You may notice the
transmission shif ting up at higher
speeds when the engine is cold. This
helps the engine warm up f aster. Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle and apply the parking brake.
Press on the brake pedal when you
are moving the shif t lever f rom
Neutral to another gear.
This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
of f or starting the engine. To shif t
outofPark,youmustpressonthe
brake pedal and have your foot off
the accelerator pedal. Press the
release button on the bottom of the
shif t lever to move it.
169
3 3
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ock ReleaseReverse (R) Drive (D )
Drive (D) Neutral (N)
Park (P)
3
Driving
167
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