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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 117.
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).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
An automatic transaxle vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system which locks
the shift lever in PARK (P) when the ignition is in
LOCK. 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 110.
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. Pry off the cover over the shift-lock release
slot using a small, flat object. The shift-lock
release slot is located at the top of the
shift lever.
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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.Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down and firmly apply
the parking brake.
2. Fully press in the clutch pedal and place
the shift lever into the gear position as
stated below:
•When parking on level ground, place the
shift lever into NEUTRAL.
•When parking downhill, place the shift lever
in REVERSE (R).
•When parking uphill, place the shift lever in
FIRST (1).
3. After shifting, turn the ignition to LOCK,
remove the key and release the clutch.
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Page 140 of 422
Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning flashers let you warn the
police and others that you have a problem.
The front and rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and off.
The hazard warning
flasher button is located
in the center of the
instrument panel.
The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the flashers off.
While the hazard warning flashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set
them up at the side of the road about 300 feet
(100 m) behind your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your
steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
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Page 165 of 422

If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly.
The airbags in your vehicle may not
in ate in a crash, or they could even
in ate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition to ON.
If the light does not come on then, have it fixed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has a passenger airbag status
indicator in the clock, located in the center of the
instrument panel.
When the ignition key is
turned to ON or START,
the passenger airbag
status indicator will light
for several seconds
as a system check.
Then, after several more seconds, if the off
symbol is lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped). SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 76for more on this, including important
safety information.
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This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
•Light Flashing— A misfire condition has
been detected. A misfire increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
•Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
•Reducing vehicle speed
•Avoiding hard accelerations
•Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission
system malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 254.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
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Door Ajar Light
This light will stay on
until all doors are closed
and completely latched.
If the key is in the ignition while the driver’s door
is open, you will also hear a warning chime.
Trunk Ajar Light (Hatchback Only)
This light will come on
when the trunk is not
completely closed.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells
you about how much
fuel you have left when
the ignition is turned
to ON.
When the tank nears empty, the low fuel warning
light will come on. You still have a little fuel
left, but you should get more soon. SeeLow Fuel
Warning Light on page 178for more information.
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Page 208 of 422

According to the American Medical Association, a
180 lb (82 kg) person who drinks three 12 ounce
(355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with
a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would
reach the same BAC by drinking three 4 ounce
(120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if
each had 1-1/2 ounces (45 ml) of liquors like
whiskey, gin, or vodka.It is the amount of alcohol that counts.
For example, if the same person drank three
double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each)
within an hour, the person’s BAC would be
close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes
food just before or during drinking will have
a somewhat lower BAC level.
There is a gender difference, too. Women
generally have a lower relative percentage of body
water than men. Since alcohol is carried in body
water, this means that a woman generally will
reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same
body weight will when each has the same
number of drinks.
The law in most U.S. states, and throughout
Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent.
In some other countries, the limit is even lower.
For example, it is 0.05 percent in both France
and Germany. The BAC limit for all commercial
drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent.
The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to
six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we have
seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the
drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them.
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Dolly Towing
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
with the front wheels on the ground could
cause transaxle damage. Do not tow the
vehicle from the rear with the front wheels
on the road.
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC.3. Put the vehicle in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Set the parking brake and then remove
the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
6. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle
is not designed or intended for such a use. Towing
a trailer can adversely affect handling, durability
and fuel economy.
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