To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the
ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 163.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever 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.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.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing
the release button on the front of the shfiter.
3. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
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).
118
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 vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is firmly 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). If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the
weight of the vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may
find 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 find out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on page 118.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift
lever out of PARK (P)beforeyou 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).
119
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your automatic transaxle vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift-lock control system. You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is turned to
ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 112.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P) while holding
the brake pedal down, try this:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
3. Remove the cover over the shift-lock release
slot by prying it off using a small, flat object.
The shift-lock release slot is located at the top
of the shift lever.4. Insert the key into the shift-lock release slot
and press and hold the key.
5. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
6. Remove the key from the shift-lock release
slot, insert the key into the ignition and start
the engine.
7. Replace the shift-lock release slot cover.
8. Apply and hold the regular brake fully
and release the parking brake.
9. Shift to the gear you want.
10. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.
120
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system
has been modi ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
122
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
underEngine Exhaust on page 122.
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 243.
{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,
seeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 118.
123
Instrument Panel Overview........................ 132
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 135
Other Warning Devices............................. 136
Horn.......................................................... 136
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 136
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 137
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 138
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 138
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 139
Windshield Wipers..................................... 139
Windshield Washer.................................... 140
Rear Window Wiper/Washer (Hatchback) ... 141
Cruise Control........................................... 141
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 144
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 145
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 145
Fog Lamps................................................ 146
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 146
Dome Lamp.............................................. 147
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver............... 147
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 147
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 148
Clock......................................................... 149Climate Controls......................................... 150
Climate Control System............................. 150
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 154
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 154
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 156
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 156
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 159
Trip Odometer........................................... 159
Tachometer............................................... 159
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 160
Safety Belt Reminder Tone....................... 160
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 160
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
(Sedan).................................................. 161
Charging System Light.............................. 163
Brake System Warning Light..................... 163
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 164
Hold Mode Light........................................ 165
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 165
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 166
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 169
Fog Lamp Light......................................... 170
Section 3 Instrument Panel
129
To change the current mode, select one of the
following from the right knob:
Y(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the
air to the instrument panel outlets, and then
directs the remaining air to the floor outlets.
[(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the floor outlets. Some of the air will also be
directed to the rear outlets. Be sure to keep the
area under the front seats clear to allow the flow of
air to the rear compartment.
The right knob can also be used to select the
defog and defrost modes. Information on defogging
and defrosting can be found later in this section.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming into the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from entering your
vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside
your vehicle more quickly.
If your vehicle has a recirculation button (uplevel
model), press the button to turn the recirculation
mode on. When the button is pressed, an indicatorlight in the button will come on. Press the button
again to return to outside air mode.
If your vehicle has a lever (base model), move the
lever to choose the recirculation mode.
Using the recirculation mode for extended periods
may cause your windows to fog. If this happens,
select the defrost mode.
:(Outside Air):This mode brings outside air
into the vehicle.
If your vehicle has a recirculation button (uplevel
model), press the button until the recirculation
mode is turned off. Your vehicle will then return to
outside air mode.
If your vehicle has a lever (base model), move the
lever to choose the outside air mode.
A/C (Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, follow these steps to use the system.
Start the engine and set the fan control knob to the
desired speed. The air conditioning compressor
does not operate when the fan control knob is in the
off position. Press the A/C button to turn the air
conditioning compressor on and off. When the A/C
button is pressed, an indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that air conditioning
is activated.
151
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside
air escape; then close them. This helps to reduce
the time it takes for your vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the
following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Press the A/C button.
4. Select the recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of
time may cause the air inside of your vehicle
to become too dry. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in your vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may sometimes notice a small
amount of water dripping underneath your
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high
humidity or moisture condensing on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are two
modes to clear fog or frost from your windshield.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of
fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Use
the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
Select one of these available modes from the
right knob.
0(Defog):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the floor outlets. A small
amount of air is also directed to the outboard
outlets for the side windows and to the instrument
panel side outlets. When you select this mode,
the system runs the air-conditioning compressor.
To defog the windows faster, turn the temperature
control knob clockwise to the warmest setting.
152