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If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem in 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 position (I).
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.
These indicators between the tacho-
meter and speedometer show which
position the shif t lever is in.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR
Dto2 2to1
1to2
2toD
DtoD
DtoN
DtoD NtoD
RtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.
3
3
3
3
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Shif ting
Automatic Transmission
Driving
173
SHIFT LEVER
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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.
176
3 3
Shif t L ock Release Reverse (R) Drive (D )
Drive (D)
Neutral (N)
Park (P)
3
Automatic Transmission
174
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Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover next to
theshiftlever.Useasmallflat-
tipped screwdriver or f inger nail
f ile to remove the cover. Caref ully
pryoff theedgeof thecover.Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Set the parking brake.
1. 2.
3.4.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
176
COVER
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Page 175 of 281

Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
Deactivate the VSA system if you
need to drive with the compact spare
tire installed (see page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
This switch is under the lef t vent.
Press it to turn the VSA system on
and off. 231
238
VSA Of f Switch
VSA and Tire Sizes
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
183
VSA OFF SWITCH
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CONT INUED
Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items in the
inf ormation display to show you
when you should have your dealer
perf orm engine oil replacement and
indicated maintenance service.To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and push and release
the SELECT/RESET knob on the
instrument panel 3 times.If the oil lif e is 15 to 6 percent, you
will see the oil lif e indicator f or
several seconds every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The maintenance minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
next to the engine oil lif e indicator.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage.
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Indicator
Maint enance
193
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE
ENGINE OIL LIFE
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INFORMATION DISPLAY
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Page 185 of 281
µ
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE OIL LIFE’’ message in
the odometer/trip meter display,
along with the same maintenance
item code(s), every time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. When the engine oil lif e is 0 percent,
the ‘‘0’’ indicator will blink. When
you see this message, have the
indicated maintenance perf ormed by
your dealer as soon as possible. The
display shows ‘‘0 %’’ until you drive 10
miles (U.S. models) or 10 km
(Canadian models).The display shows ‘‘ 10’’ when you
have driven 10 miles or 10 km.
Af terward, it shows your driving
distance if you continue to drive.
Maintenance Minder
194
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Page 186 of 281
Press the SELECT/RESET knob
f or about 10 seconds. The engine
oil lif e indicator and the
maintenance item code(s) will
blink.
Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100 %’’ on the odometer/
trip meter display the next time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
When the vehicle needs
maintenance, maintenance codes
appear on the inf ormation display.
For an explanation of the
maintenance codes, see page . Press the SELECT/RESET knob
until the engine oil lif e indicator is
displayed.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
f ollows: 3. 1. 2.
198 Resetting the Engine Oil Lif e
Indicator
Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
195
ENGINE OIL LIFE
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE
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CONT INUED
Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.The tools are in the trunk. Open
the trunk and raise the trunk f loor
by lif ting up on the back edge.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.
5.
4.
3.
2. 1.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
239
TRUNK FLOOR
SPARE TIRE JACK
TOOL KIT
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
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