6. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level drops to 2 gallons, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
7. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical
charging system. The light should come on
briefly when the ignition is first turned on and remain
on briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s
electrical devices, such as the Fog Lights or Rear
Defroster. If the Charging System Light remains on, it
means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with
the charging system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDI-
ATELY. See your local authorized dealer.
8. Airbag Light
The light comes on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light does
not come on during starting, stays on, or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.9. Theft Alarm Light — If Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for several seconds when the
alarm system is arming. The light will begin to flash
slowly indicating that the system is armed.
10. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will come on for about six seconds. A
chime will sound if you have not pulled the
shoulder belt out of the retractor. This is a reminder to
“buckle up”. If you do not buckle up, the light will
remain on.
11. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will
come on and remain on when the ignition
switch is turned from the OFF to the ON position, and
the light will turn off after the engine is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
SCAN Button
Pressing the SCAN button causes the tuner to search for
the next listenable station, in either AM or FM frequen-
cies, pausing for 5 seconds at each listenable station
before continuing to the next. To stop the search, press
SCAN a second time.
INFO Button
Press the INFO button for an RDS station (one with call
letters displayed). The radio will return a Radio Text
message broadcast from an FM station (FM mode only).
TIME Button
Press the TIME button and the time of day will be
displayed. In AM or FM mode, pressing the TIME button
will switch between the time and frequency displays.
Clock Setting Procedure
1. Press and hold the TIME button, until the hours blink.
2. Adjust the hours by turning the right side TUNE
control knob.3. After the hours are adjusted, press the right side
TUNE control knob to set the minutes. The minutes will
begin to blink.
4. Adjust the minutes using the right side TUNE control
knob. Press the TUNE control knob to save time change.
5. To exit, press any button/knob or wait 5 seconds.
The clock can also be set by pressing the SETUP button,
and selecting SET CLOCK. Once in this display follow
the above procedure, starting at step 2.
RW/FF
Pressing the RW (Rewind) or FF (Fast Forward) buttons
causes the tuner to search for the next frequency in the
direction of the arrows. This feature operates in either
AM or FM frequencies.
TUNE Control
Turn the right side rotary control clockwise to increase or
counter-clockwise to decrease the frequency.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
4
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle
speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into
any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal
down while shifting out of Park.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.Automatic Transaxle Shifter
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON or ACC positions. Always depress the
brake pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of
PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transaxle interlock system. There is an override
system that allows you to shift out of Park in case of loss
of power. To activate the override system, remove the cup
holder liner, insert a key, screwdriver or finger into the
front hole and push the lever forward. If this occurs
obtain service as soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the OFF or ON positions.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safetyfeature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Four Speed or Six Speed (AutoStick) Automatic
Transaxle
The electronically controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self-
calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle,
may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle automatically shifts into second
gear. The transaxle remains in second gear (3rd gear with
six speed automatic) despite the forward gear selected.
Park (P), Reverse (R), and Neutral (N) will continue to
operate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven
to a dealer for service without damaging the transaxle.
In the event that the problem has been momentary, the
transaxle can be reset to regain all forward gears.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING
•Stop the vehicle and shift into Park (P).
•Turn the key to OFF then restart the engine.
•Shift into the desired range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could recur.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, dealer service is required.
Gear Ranges for Automatic Transaxle
“P” Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transaxle.
The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to
use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an Automatic Transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
“R” Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“N” Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
“D” Overdrive
For most city and highway driving, it provides smoothest
upshifts and downshifts and best fuel economy. When
frequent transaxle shifting occurs while using the “D”
Overdrive position, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions, (i.e. in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds or while towing heavy
trailers), using the “3” position will improve performance
and extend transaxle life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat build-up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
5
AutoStickOperation
By placing the selector lever one shift level below theD
position, it can be moved from side to side. This allows
the driver to select a higher or lower range of gears.
Moving the selector lever to the Left (-) triggers a
downshift and to the Right (+) an upshift. The gear
position will display in the instrument cluster on the
transaxle range indicator.
NOTE:In Autostickmode, the transaxle will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the selector lever to
the Right (+) or Left (-).
Holding the lever to (+) for at least one second, will
deactivate AutoStick. AutoStickis also deactivated
when the lever is shifted out of the (+) or (-) and intoD.
AutoStickGeneral Information
•
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
•If a ratio other than 1st is selected and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
•Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
•Avoid using speed control when Autostickis en-
gaged.
•The transaxle will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached while Autostickis
engaged.
•transaxle shifting will be more noticeable when Auto-
stickis engaged.
•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the transaxle will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transaxle will revert to the automatic shift mode and
remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5
•If the system detects a problem it will disable the
AutoStickmode and the transaxle will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition on, the Brake Light in the instrument
cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light, when illuminated with parking brake
application, shows only that the parking brake is on. It
does not show the degree of brake application.
NOTE:If the light remains on with the parking brake
released, a brake system malfunction is indicated. Have
the brake system serviced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately.
NOTE:If the parking brake is applied while the vehicle
is moving, a chime will sound to alert the driver. The
chime will sound up to 10 times or until the vehicle has
returned to a stop.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. For manual transaxle vehicles,place the gear selector in REVERSE. For vehicles
equipped with automatic transaxles, place the gear selec-
tor in the PARK position.
To release the parking brake, slightly pull up the handle
while pushing the lock button, and guide the lever
downward to its stop. The brake warning light in the
instrument cluster should go out.
NOTE:The parking brake lever will not release unless
the lever is pulled up slightly past its applied position.
Parking Brake Lever
216 STARTING AND OPERATING
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident
by increased pedal travel during application and greater
pedal force required to slow or stop. In addition, if the
malfunction is caused by an internal leak, as the brake
fluid in the master cylinder drops, the brake warning
indicator will light.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. A significant decrease in braking performance
or vehicle stability during braking may occur. It will
take you longer to stop the vehicle or will make your
vehicle harder to control. You could have an acci-
dent. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If Equipped
The Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle
stability and brake performance under most braking
conditions. The system automatically “pumps” the
brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING