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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:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h)
or less for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow,
the vehicle.
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.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
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Ignition Positions
Your vehicle has an
electronic keyless
ignition with pushbutton
start.
/(START):Press this button while your foot is
on the brake to start the engine. The shifter
must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to start the
engine and the keyless access transmitter must
be in the vehicle for the ignition to work.
9Acc. (OFF/ACCESSORY):When this button
is pressed, the engine will turn off even if the shifter
is not in PARK (P). If the shifter is in PARK (P), the
ignition mode will change to Retained Accessory
Power (RAP), if all doors are closed. The ignition
mode will change to OFF, if a front door is opened.SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 89
for more information. If the shifter is not in
PARK (P), the ignition mode will change to Acc.
(Accessory). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 99.
When the engine is off, press this button to place
the vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY
MODE ON will display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). This mode allows you to use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers while the
engine is off. Use accessory mode if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off, for
example, if your vehicle is being towed. If the door
is open while in accessory mode, the key in
reminder chime will sound continuously.
If the push-button start is not working, your vehicle
may be near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless access system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 206for more
information.
After being in Acc. for about 20 minutes, the vehicle
will automatically enter RAP or will turn off,
depending on if the doors are opened or closed.
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Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be
used for up to 10 minutes after the engine is
turned off:
Radio
Power Windows
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes
or if a door is opened. If you want power for
another 10 minutes, close all the doors and press
the Acc. button to place the vehicle in accessory
mode. Press the button again and the vehicle
will return to RAP.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
To restart when you are already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.
Cell phone chargers can interfere with the
operation of the Keyless Access System. Battery
chargers should not be plugged in when starting
or turning off the engine.
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To start you vehicle, do the following:
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button located on the instrument
panel.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is something causing
interference with it, the DIC will display
NO FOB DETECTED. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 206for more information.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of
the button and the engine cranks automatically
until it starts. If the battery in the keyless
access transmitter is weak, the DIC displays
FOB BATTERY LOW. You can still drive
the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless
Access System Operation on page 68for more
information. If the fob battery is dead, you
need to insert the fob into the fob slot to enable
engine starting. See″No Fobs Detected″
underDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 206.3. Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
4. If the engine does not start and no DIC
message is displayed, wait 15 seconds
before trying again to let the cranking motor
cool down.
If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all
the way to the oor while cranking for up to
15 seconds maximum. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the accelerator. If the vehicle
starts brie y but then stops again, do the same
thing. This clears the extra gasoline from the
engine.
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Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by pressing the START button
immediately after cranking has ended, can
overheat and damage the cranking motor, and
drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool down.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects components. Once cranking
has been initiated, the engine continues cranking
for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If
the engine does not start, cranking automatically
be stops after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage,
this system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with
your dealer. If you do not, your engine might
not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.Stopping Your Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) and press the
Acc. (Off/Accessory) button located on the
instrument panel. If the shifter is not in PARK (P),
the engine shuts off and the vehicle goes into
the Accessory Mode. The DIC displays″SHIFT TO
PARK″. Once the shifter is moved to PARK (P),
the vehicle turns off.
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected
inside the vehicle when it is turned to off, the DIC
displays NO FOB – OFF OR RUN?.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 206for
more information.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for the shift
lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It
is the best position to use when you starting
the engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.
{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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 99.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock control system.
You have to fully apply the regular brakes rst and
then press the shift lever button before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the vehicle is running.
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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 press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 100.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transmission. 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
transmission, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 353.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed. Use Neutral (N) if the vehicle must
be moved with the engine off for short distances.
Please seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 359.
{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.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high
speed may damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting your vehicle.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If
you need more power for passing and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push
the accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 337.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be covered by
your warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin
the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Maximum engine speed is limited to protect
driveline components from improper operation.
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature lets you
manually control over the operation of the
transmission.
To use this feature,
move the shift lever from
the DRIVE (D) position
to the left and into the
driver shift control gate.
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