49
Driving your vehicle
Transaxle rangesP (park)Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P (Park). This position locks
the transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
R (reverse)Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.N (neutral)The wheels and transaxle are not locked.
The vehicle will roll freely even on the
slightest incline unless the parking brake
or service brakes are applied.D (drive)This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a 5-gear sequence, providing the
best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the
transaxle will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.
(Continued)
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (PARK) position. Set
the parking brake fully, shut the
engine off and take the key with
you. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
you do not follow these precau-
tions in the order specified.
Never leave a child unattended in
a vehicle.
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) position
in place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
so that it cannot be moved unless
the lock release button is pushed
in, AND set the parking brake
fully.
(Continued)
CAUTION
The transaxle may be damaged if
you shift into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into or out of R
(Reverse); you may damage the
transaxle if you shift into R while
the vehicle is in motion, except as
explained in “Rocking the Vehicle”,
in this manual.
What to do in an emergency14 5
Tire replacement 1. Park on a level surface and apply
the parking brake firmly.
2. Shift the automatic transaxle shift
lever into P (Park).
3. Activate the hazard warning flash-
er.4. Remove the wheel lug nut wrench,
jack, jack handle, and spare tire
from the vehicle.
5. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel that is diagonally opposite
the jack position.
1VQA4022
1VQA4023
(Continued)
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack causing serious
injury or death. No person
should place any portion of
their body under a vehicle that
is supported only by a jack;
use vehicle support stands.
Do not start or run the engine
while the vehicle is on the
jack.
Do not allow anyone to remain
in the vehicle while it is on the
jack.
Make sure any children pres-
ent are in a secure place away
from the road and from the
vehicle to be raised with the
jack.
Index2 9Air bag - advanced supplemental restraint system ······ 3-78
Driver's and passenger's front air bag ······················ 3-79
SRS components and functions ······························· 3-83
Occupant classification system ································ 3-86
Side impact air bag ··················································· 3-91
Curtain air bag ·························································· 3-93
SRS care ··································································· 3-94
Air bag warning label ············································· 3-101
Air cleaner ··································································· 6-15
Antenna ······································································ 3-180
Appearance care ·························································· 6-63
Audio remote control ················································· 3-181
Audio system ····························································· 3-182
M445 ······································································ 3-185
M455 ······································································ 3-191
M465 ······································································ 3-201
Automatic climate control system ····························· 3-149
Air conditioning button ·········································· 3-155
Heating and ventilation (front) ······························· 3-150
Heating and ventilation (rear) ································ 3-157
Automatic transaxle ······················································· 4-7
Ignition key interlock system ··································· 4-13
Automatic transaxle operation ··································· 4-8
Transaxle ranges ························································· 4-9
Sports mode ······························································ 4-10
Shift lock system ······················································ 4-12
Automatic transaxle ····················································· 6-17Back warning system ··················································· 4-25
Battery ········································································· 6-35
Before driving ································································ 4-3
Biding arbitration (U.S.A only) ····································· 7-5
Brake system ······························································· 4-17
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ································· 4-20
Parking brake ··························································· 4-19
Power brakes ···························································· 4-17
Brakes ·········································································· 6-19
Bulb wattage ·································································· 8-2
Capacities ······································································· 8-3
Child restraint system ·················································· 3-71
Tether anchor system ··············································· 3-73
Child seat lower anchors ·········································· 3-74
Placing a passenger seat belt into the auto lock
mode ········································································· 3-75
Climate control air filter ·············································· 6-22
Consumer assistance ······················································ 7-4
Corrosion protection ···················································· 6-61
Cruise control system ·················································· 4-14
Defroster ···································································· 3-136
Dimensions ···································································· 8-2
Door locks ···································································· 3-11A
BCD
93
Index
Central door lock switch ·········································· 3-13
Child-protector rear door lock ································· 3-15
Tailgate ····································································· 3-15
Driver position memory system ·································· 3-56
Economical operation ·················································· 4-29
Electronic stability control (ESC) ······························· 4-22
Emergency starting ························································ 5-3
Emission control system ·············································· 6-66
Engine compartment ···················································· 6-11
Engine coolant ····························································· 6-13
Engine exhaust can be dangerous! ································ 4-2
Engine oil ····································································· 6-12
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items ··············· 6-7
Fuel filler lid ································································ 3-30
Fuel requirements ·························································· 1-2
Fuses ············································································ 6-26
Gauges ······································································· 3-110
Engine temperature gauge ······································ 3-109
Fuel gauge ······························································ 3-112
Instrument panel illumination ································ 3-112
Odometer/Trip odometer ········································ 3-110
Speedometer ··························································· 3-110Tachometer ····························································· 3-111
Good braking practices ················································ 4-28
Hazard warning flasher ············································· 3-137
Homelink® wireless control system ························· 3-167
Hood ············································································ 3-29
Horn ··········································································· 3-135
How to use this manual ················································· 1-2
If the engine overheats ·················································· 5-5
If the engine will not start ············································· 5-2
If you have a flat tire ··················································· 5-10
Carrying a flat tire ···················································· 5-17
Changing tires ·························································· 5-13
Removing the spare tire ··········································· 5-10
Storing the spare tire ················································ 5-11
Important - use of compact spare tire ······················ 5-12
Immobilizer system ······················································· 3-9
Instrument cluster ······················································ 3-109
Instrument panel overview ············································ 2-3
Interior features ························································· 3-175
Ashtray ··································································· 3-175
Cigarette lighter ······················································ 3-175
Clothes hanger ························································ 3-178
Cup holder ······························································ 3-176
Digital clock ··························································· 3-180
Power outlet ··························································· 3-179EFG
HI