DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving with
the automatic transaxle. 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 (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 241.
INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
without using your brakes for slight downgrades
where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due
to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or
downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills, this
position can be used to prevent repetitive types of
shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I)
instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding
roads and when towing a trailer, so that there is less
shifting between gears.LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually
using your brakes. You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into
LOW (L) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
120
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
For vehicles equipped with an armrest, lift the
console armrest in order to access the parking
brake lever.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 171.
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.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime
will sound and the PARKING BRAKE message
will appear along with the brake system warning
light when the parking brake is applied and
the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 184.
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.
Automatic Shown, Manual Similar
123
Instrument Panel Overview........................ 142
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 144
Other Warning Devices............................. 144
Horn.......................................................... 144
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 145
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 145
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 146
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 146
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 146
Windshield Wipers..................................... 147
Windshield Washer.................................... 148
Cruise Control........................................... 149
Headlamps................................................ 152
Wiper Activated Headlamps....................... 153
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 153
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 153
Fog Lamps................................................ 154
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 154
Dome Lamp.............................................. 155
Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 155
Mirror Reading Lamps............................... 155
Electric Power Management...................... 155
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 156
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 156
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 157Climate Controls......................................... 158
Climate Control System............................. 158
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 161
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 162
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 164
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 165
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 166
Tachometer............................................... 166
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 166
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 167
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 167
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 168
Charging System Light.............................. 170
Up-Shift Light............................................ 171
Brake System Warning Light..................... 171
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 172
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light......................................... 173
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 174
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 174
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 178
Security Light............................................ 179
Fog Lamp Light......................................... 179
Section 3 Instrument Panel
139
J(On/Off):Press this button to turn the cruise
control system on and off.
RES+ (Resume):Press this button to resume a
set speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET– (Set):Press this button to set a speed and
to decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the on/off button to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET– part of the control button
and release it. The CRUISE ENGAGED
message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) to show the system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 234. When road conditions allow,
the cruise control can be used again.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set the cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of
course, disengages the cruise control. To return to
the previously set speed, you do not need to go
through the set process again. Once you are going
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can press
the RES+ part of the button brie y.
This will take you back up to your previously
chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
1. Disengage the cruise control by applying the
brake pedal but do not turn it off. Accelerate
to a higher speed and reset the cruise control.
2. If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ part of the button. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed desired, and then
release the button. To increase the vehicle
speed in very small amounts, press the RES+
part of the button brie y and then release it.
Each time you do this, the vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
150
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET– part of the button
until you reach the lower speed you want,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts,
push the SET– part of the button brie y.
Each time you do this, the vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
will slow down to the cruise control speed you set
earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills
depends upon the vehicle speed, load and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills,
you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the vehicle’s speed. When going downhill,
you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep the vehicle’s speed down. Of course, applying
the brake takes turns off the cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do not
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end cruise control, step lightly on the brake
pedal or the clutch pedal if the vehicle has
a manual transaxle.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch pedal
will only end the current cruise control session.
Press the cruise control on/off button to turn
the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the
ignition, the cruise control set speed memory
is erased.
151
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking
lamps after the windshield wipers are turned
on. For this feature to work, automatic lighting
must be enabled. SeeHeadlamps on page 152
for additional information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also
turn off 15 seconds after the windshield wiper
control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off
and the lamps on, a warning chime will sound.
This lets you know that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered,
or the head lamps will be on when not needed.
The DRL system will make the headlamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO or
the parking lamps only position.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument
panel lights will not be illuminated unless you have
turned the exterior lamps control to the parking
lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when you need it.
153
Up-Shift Light
Your vehicle may have an up-shift light. When
this light comes on, you should shift to the
next higher gear if weather, road, and traffic
conditions allow you to.
This light is located in
your instrument panel
cluster to the left of
the tachometer.
SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 121
for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
United States Only
United StatesCanada
171
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 264.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning
light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may
have an Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS)
warning light.
The ABS warning light will come on brie y when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with
your regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 171.
172