Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.In cold weather, conventional starter
is used instead of the IMA system
starter. This is normal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again. If the engine f ails to start, press the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
82
Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather
Driving
171
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
06/08/08 14:44:22 31SDR620_176
µ
µ The engine restarts when you
release the brake pedal. Even while
you are pressing down on the brake
pedal, the engine restarts if the
conditions below are met.
You move the shif t lever f rom N to
R, or f rom D3 to 2nd.
Youstepontheacceleratorpedal.
Your vehicle has an auto idle stop
system. Af ter your vehicle comes to
a halt, the engine shuts of f
automatically if all the f ollowing
conditions are met.
The vehicle speed is over 8 mph
(12km/h)beforethevehicle
comes to a stop.
The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
TheshiftleverisinD,D3orN.
You are pressing on the brake
pedal.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is charged
enough to operate the system.
Fan speed lower f an speeds, in
either AUTO or manual modes. During Auto Idle Stop, the IMA
charge and power brake vacuum
reserve is monitored by the system.
If the vacuum reserve drops below
an optimal level, the engine will
restart to replenish the vacuum
supply. If the IMA charge drops
below an optimal level, the engine
will restart to recharge the IMA
battery.
The auto idle stop system may not
work if the temperature of the IMA
battery is extremely high or
extremely low.
While the auto idle stop system is
working, the auto idle stop indicator
blinks (see page ).
Outside temperature is between
10 100 degrees F.
The vent mode is neither in nor . 178
Automatic Transmission
Auto Idle Stop
Driving
177
06/08/08 14:45:18 31SDR620_182
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself.......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 192
....................
Maintenance Minder . 193
....................
Maintenance Record . 200
..............................
Fluid Locations . 202
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 203
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 203
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 204
................
Engine Oil Additives . 204
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 205
..............................
Engine Coolant . 207
....................
Windshield Washers . 209
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 210
....................................
Brake Fluid . 211
....................................
Timing Belt . 212
.............................................
Lights . 213
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 219
.....................................
Floor Mats . 219
..............................
Audio Antenna . 220
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 220
.................................
Wiper Blades . 221
...............................................
Tires . 223
.......................................
Wheels . 223
..................
Inf lation Guidelines . 223
.
Recommended Tire Pressure . 224
..........................
Tire Inspection . 225
.....................
Tire Maintenance . 225 .............................
Tire Rotation . 226
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 226
......................
Wheels and Tires . 227
..........................
Winter Driving . 227
.............................
Snow Tires . 227
............................
Tire Chains . 228
......
Checking the 12 Volt Battery . 229
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 230
275
Maintenance
Maint enance
191
06/08/08 14:47:24 31SDR620_196
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when
working near the battery or
when using compressed air. Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the
engine. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so. Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon Monoxide poison
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
192
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
06/08/08 14:47:35 31SDR620_197
µ
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
Check the condition of the 12 volt
battery monthly by looking at the
test indicator window. The label on
the battery explains the test
indicator’s colors. If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied mechanic.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last. If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting is lost. To reset the time, see
page .
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system will disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency display.
Use the preset bars to enter the code
(see page ).
If your vehicle’s 12 volt battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the IMA
battery level gauge reading will not
be correct the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It will show less than the
actual level temporarily. It will show
the correct level af ter you drive f or
at least 30 minutes.
145
144
CONT INUED
Checking the 12 Volt Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
229
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
06/08/08 14:53:17 31SDR620_234
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Vehicle Storage
Checking the 12 Volt Battery, Vehicle Storage
230
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
06/08/08 14:53:24 31SDR620_235
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Reconnect the 12 volt battery and
drive your vehicle every month f or
about 30 minutes. This will keep
the IMA battery charged and in
good condition.
Disconnect the 12 volt battery.
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
231
If this vehicle is unused f or over one
month, the service lif e of the 144V
Nickel-Metal Hydride battery will be
reduced and the battery may be
permanently damaged.
06/08/08 14:53:34 31SDR620_236
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Store the center cap in the trunk.
Make sure it does not get
scratched or damaged.
Lower the trunk f loor, then close
the trunk lid. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orneutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
19.
241
CONT INUED
If the Engine Won’t StartNothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Changing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
239
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
06/08/08 14:54:38 31SDR620_244