
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), and FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6):
Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle your
engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and lift up on the ring on the shift lever to shift
into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal
slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
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.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
Once the shift lever is in REVERSE (R), the ignition can
be turned to OFF and the key removed.Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-36. GT and GTP Shown, SE Similar
2-33

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in as
you move the brake handle all the way down.
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 you are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-40.
2-34

Use the following procedure to shift into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your automatic transaxle vehicle
with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever
into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked into PARK (P).
2-35

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
automatic transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight
of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking
pawl in the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into
Park (P)” previously in the section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
The automatic transaxle shift lock control system locks
the shift lever in PARK when the ignition is in OFF.
In addition, you have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-28.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the desired gear.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, rmly apply the parking brake, and move the shift
lever into REVERSE (R). Once the shift lever has been
placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed
in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the key
and release the clutch. SeeManual Transaxle
Operation on page 2-32.
2-36

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-37.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-27.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transaxle 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transaxle shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transaxle shift lever
to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. If you have an automatic transaxle, see
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on
page 2-34.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-38

Notice:If you lower the retractable hardtop in cold
weather (0°F/−18°C or lower), you may damage
top components. Do not lower the retractable
hardtop in cold weather.
1. Park on a level surface and shift the automatic
transaxle into PARK (P), or a manual transaxle
into NEUTRAL with the parking brake set.
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or turned to ACC,
the trunk cargo cover must be in place, and the
trunk must be closed.
3. Lower both sun visors.
4. Make sure that nothing or no one is on or around
the top. Make sure there is nothing on top or in
front of the cargo cover.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the retractable hardtop can
be dangerous. People can be injured by the
hardtop and its mechanism. Keep people away
from your vehicle when you are lowering or
raising the top.5. Push and hold the
bottom of the
retractable hardtop
button located on the
headliner, between
the front reading lamps.
The windows will
automatically lower
and the top will
automatically lower
into the storage area.
A chime will sound
when the top has
lowered completely.
If the radio is on, the sound may be muted brie y while
the retracable top is lowered. This is due to the audio
equalization system re-loading.
Under certain conditions, the Driver Information Center
(DIC) may display a message regarding the retractable
hardtop. If this happens, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-48for more information.
2-50

Raising the Retractable Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface and shift the automatic
transaxle into PARK (P), or a manual transaxle
into NEUTRAL with the parking brake set.
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or in ACC, and
the trunk cargo cover must be in place.
3. Lower both sun visors.
Notice:Raising or lowering the top while the
vehicle is in motion can cause damage to the top
or top mechanism. Make sure the vehicle is in
PARK (P) to lower or raise the top.
4. Make sure nothing or no one is on or around the
top. Make sure there is no cargo on top of or in
front of the trunk cargo cover.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the retractable hardtop can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
hardtop and its mechanism. Keep people away
from your vehicle when you are lowering or
raising the top.5. Push and hold the top
of the retractable
hardtop button located
on the headliner
between the front
reading lamps.
The windows will
automatically lower
and the top will raise.
A chime will sound
when the top has
raised completely.
After the top is fully raised, release the retractable
hardtop button. If you press the button again within
ve seconds, the windows will automatically close.
If your radio is on, you may notice a brief mute in sound.
This is normal and due to the audio system equalization
re-loading for the vehicle with the top raised.
Under certain conditions, the Driver Information Center
(DIC) may display a message regarding the retractable
hardtop. If this happens, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-48for more information.
2-51

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Headlamps Off in PARK (P)...........................3-14
Delayed Headlamps......................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18
Overhead Console Reading Lamps.................3-18
Trunk Lamp.................................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-29
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Trip Odometer..............................................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-32
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-32
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-33
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-34
Charging System Light..................................3-36
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-37
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-38
Traction Control System Active Light...............3-38
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-38
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-39
StabiliTrak
®Not Ready Light..........................3-39
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light..............................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1