Page 168 of 293

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the traction
control system, and f acts you need if
you are planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .168
.......................
Starting the Engine .169
...................
Manual Transmission . 170
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 171
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 172
.......................
Reverse Lockout .172
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .173
.......................................
Shif ting .173
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 175
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 176
...........................................
Parking .178
..............................
Parking Tips .178
.............................
Braking System .179
...........
Braking System Design . 179
.....
Brake Pad Wear Indicators . 179
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 180
............................
ABS Indicator .180
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .182
.........
VSA Activation Indicator . 182
..............
VSA System Indicator . 182
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .183
...........................
Towing a Trailer .184
Driving
Driving
167
VSA and Tire Sizes ................... 183
Page 170 of 293

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery. Turn
the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position for more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds before trying again. If
the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. Return
to step 5 if the engine does not
start.
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
pressu re on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
Press
the clutch pedal down all the
way. The START (III) position
does not function unless the clutch
pedal is pressed.
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Manual
transmission:
Automatic transmission:
75
Starting theEngine
Driv ing
169
The 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.
Page 173 of 293

If you are still unable to shif t to
reverse, apply the parking brake,
and turn the ignition key to the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position.
The manual transmission has
lockout so you cannot accidentally
shif t f rom f if th to reverse instead of
sixth while the vehicle is moving. If
you cannot shif t to reverse when the
vehicle is stopped:
With the clutch pedal pressed,
move the shift lever to the first/
second gear side of the neutral
gate, then shif t to reverse.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
If you need to use this procedure to
shif t to reverse, your vehicle may be
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.With the clutch pedal still pressed,
start the engine. Press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
reverse.
The engine speed limiter only works
when you upshif t; engine speed is
not limited during downshif ts.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
1.2.
3.
4.
6-speed manual transmission only
Engine Speed L imiter
Reverse L ockout
Manual T ransmission
172
Page 175 of 293

If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park. The shif t lever must be in Park
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch. Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
shif t f rom Park to Reverse. To shif t
from Reverse to Neutral, come to a
completestopandthenshift. This position is similar
to D, except only the first three
gears are selected instead of all f ive.
Use D when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain, or to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D can
also keep the transmission f rom
cycling between third and f ourth
gears in stop-and-go driving.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear for the vehicle speed
and acceleration. You may notice the
transmission shif ting up at higher
speeds when the engine is cold. This
helps the engine warm up f aster. Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle and apply the parking brake.
Press on the brake pedal when you
are moving the shif t lever f rom
Neutral to another gear.
This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
of f or starting the engine. To shif t
outofPark,youmustpressonthe
brake pedal and have your foot off
the accelerator pedal. Press the
release button on the bottom of the
shif t lever to move it.
176
3 3
Shif t L ock ReleaseReverse (R)
Drive (D )
Drive (D) Neutral (N)
Park (P)
3
Automatic Transmission
174
µ
µµ
µ
µ
Page 177 of 293
Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover next to the
shif t lever. Use a small f lat-tipped
screwdriverorfingernailfileto
remove the cover. Caref ully pry
of f the edge of the cover.Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch. Set the parking brake.
1.
2.
3.4.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
176
COVER
Page 179 of 293

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear. Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
damage the rear brakes. the front wheels away from the
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
U.S. EX, EX-L, and 6-cylinder models Canadian SE, EX-L, and 6-cylindermodels
Parking T ips
Parking
178
curb and set the parking brake.
If your vehicle has a manual If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
transmission, put it in reverse gear
partially set can overheat or curb and set the parking brake.
If your vehicle has a manual
Page 181 of 293

If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to-
rear braking distribution according
to vehicle loading.
this def eats the purpose of the ABS.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal as you steer away from
the hazard. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’
You should never pump the brake pedal;
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
180
Page 190 of 293

Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
D is the proper shif t lever position
to use when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain.When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
3
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
Parking
Driving
189