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engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the
“NORMAL STARTING” procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
Remote Start System — If Equipped
Remote start conveniently starts the engine from outside
the vehicle by using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) key
fob while maintaining security. The system has a targeted
range of 328 ft. (100 m). The vehicle must be locked, the
deck lid and hood closed and the transmission in Park in
order to start the engine using the Remote Start button on
the key fob.
NOTE:Remote start requires Automatic Transaxle
equipped vehicles.
How To Use Remote Start
Toenter the Remote Start mode, depress the Remote
Start button twice on the key fob. The engine will start
and the vehicle will remain in the remote start mode for
a 15 minute cycle.
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Toexit the Remote Start mode, allow the
engine to run the cycle or depress the unlock
button to disarm the Vehicle Theft Security
Alarm and within one minute insert the key
into the ignition and turn the ignition to the RUN
position. The ignition must be in the RUN position in
order to drive the vehicle.
NOTE:The engine can be started two consecutive times
(two 15 minute cycles) by using the key fob. For a thirdcycle, the key must be cycled to the ignition RUN
position and then repeat the start sequence.
To shut off the vehicle when it is in Remote Start mode,
press the remote start button once. In order to avoid
inadvertent shut downs, the one-time press to shut down
the vehicle will be disabled for two seconds after receipt
of a valid remote start request.
NOTE:When the vehicle is in the Remote Start mode,
power window and sunroof operation are disabled for
security.
The following conditions must be met before the engine
will remote start:
•Automatic Transaxle in Park
•All doors are closed
•Hood is closed
•Hazard Switch is off
•Brake Switch is inactive
•Key is not in the ignition
•Battery is at an acceptable charge level
•Panic button on key fob is not depressed
REMOTE START BUTTON
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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
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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.
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•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.
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“3” Drive
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transaxle
will operate normally in First, Second and Third while in
this range. The “3” position should also be used when
descending steep grades to prevent brake system dis-
tress.
NOTE:Using the “3” range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build up.
“L” Low
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
NOTE:The vehicle computer will over ride Overdrive
and “3” Drive ranges by changing shift points if the
transaxle operating temperature exceeds acceptable lim-
its. This is done to prevent transaxle damage due to
overheating.
AUTOSTICK— IF EQUIPPED
AutoStickis a driver-interactive transaxle that offers six
manual ratio changes to provide you with more control.
AutoStickallows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and im-
prove overall vehicle performance. This system can also
provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutoStickShift Lever
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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.
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•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
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