4
Ignition switch / 4-2
Starting the engine / 4-3
Manual transaxle / 4-4
Automatic transaxle / 4-6
Brake system / 4-9
Steering wheel / 4-14
Instrument cluster / 4-16
Gauges / 4-17
Warnings and indicators / 4-19
Lighting / 4-23
Wipers and washers / 4-26
Defroster / 4-29
Hazard warning flasher / 4-29
Climate control system / 4-30
Windshield defrosting and defogging / 4-37
Driving your vehicle
Driving your vehicle24Ignition switch and anti-theft
steering column lock
Ignition switch positionLOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position and turn the key toward
the LOCK position (manual transaxle).
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
can be checked before the engine is
started.Do not leave the ignition switch ON if theengine is not running to prevent batterydischarge.
START
Turn the ignition key to the START posi-
tion to start the engine. The engine will
crank until you release the key; then it
returns to the ON position. The brake
warning lamp can be checked in this
position.✽ ✽ NOTICEIf it is difficult to turn the ignition key to
the START position, turn the steering
wheel right and left to release resistance
and then turn the key.Automatic transaxleWhen turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P (Park) position.Illuminated ignition switchWhenever a door is opened, the ignition
switch will be illuminated for your con-
venience, provided the ignition switch is
not in the ON position. The light will go off
approximately 30 seconds after closing
the door or when the ignition switch is
turned on.
IGNITION SWITCH
1JBH32011JBN3201
Manual Transaxle
Automatic Transaxle
43
Driving your vehicle
1. Make sure the parking brake isapplied.
2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the
clutch pedal fully and shift the
transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch
pedal depressed while turning the
ignition switch to the start position.
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle - Place the
transaxle shift lever in P (Park).
Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and hold it there until the engine starts (a
maximum of 10 seconds), then
release the key.
4. In extremely cold weather (below -18°C / 0°F) or after the vehicle has
not been operated for several days, let
the engine warm up without depress-
ing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without depressing the accelerator.✽ ✽ NOTICEDo not engage the starter for more than
10 seconds. If the engine stalls or fails to
start, wait 5 to 10 seconds before re-
engaging the starter. Excessive or
improper use of the starter may damage
it. The starter will not operate if:
Manual Transaxle - the clutch pedal is
not fully depressed.
Automatic Transaxle - the shift lever
is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
WARNING
- Ignition key
• Never turn the ignition switch to LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
accident or collision.
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is engaged in 1
stgear for manual
transaxle or P (Park) for automat-
ic transaxle. Then, set the parking
brake fully and shut the engine
off. Unexpected and sudden vehi-
cle movement may occur if these
precautions are not taken.
Never reach for the ignition switch, or any other controls
through the steering wheel while
the vehicle is in motion. The pres-
ence of your hand or arm in this
area could cause a loss of vehicle
control, an accident and serious
bodily injury or death.
Do not place any movable objects around the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.
CAUTION -
Stall
If the engine stalls while you are inmotion, do not attempt to move theshift lever to the P (Park) position. If traffic and road conditions permit,you may put the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicleis still moving and turn the ignitionswitch to the START position in an attempt to restart the engine.
STARTING THE ENGINE
CAUTION
Always wear appropriate shoes whenoperating your vehicle. Unsuitableshoes (high heels, ski boots,etc.) may interfere with your ability to use thebrake and accelerator pedal, and theclutch (if equipped).
45
Driving your vehicle
✽
✽NOTICETo avoid premature clutch wear and
damage, do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal. Also, don’t
use the clutch to hold the vehicle
stopped on an uphill grade, while wait-
ing for a traffic light, etc..
DownshiftingWhen you must slow down in heavy traf-
fic or while driving up steep hills, down-
shift before the engine starts to labor.
Downshifting reduces the chance of
stalling and gives better acceleration
when you again need to increase your
speed. When the vehicle is traveling
down steep hills, downshifting helps
maintain safe speed and prolongs brake
life.
WARNING
- Manual
transaxle
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off. Then make
sure the transaxle is shifted into 1
st
gear when the vehicle is parked on
a level or uphill grade, and shifted
into R (Reverse) on a downhill
grade. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.
Driving your vehicle64
Automatic transaxle operationAll normal forward driving is done with
the shift lever in the D (Drive) position.
To move the shift lever from the P (Park)
position, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the lock release button
must be pressed.For smooth operation, depress the brakepedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to aforward or reverse gear.✽ ✽ NOTICE• To avoid damage to your transaxle, do
not accelerate the engine in R
(Reverse) or any forward gear posi-
tion with the brakes on.
• When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationary with
engine power. Use the service brake
or the parking brake.
(Continued)
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING
- Automatic
transaxle
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the shift lever is
in the P (PARK) position; then set
the parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.
OJB046003
Lock release button
prevents shift lever movement without first
depressing the button.
O/D button
The lock release button must be depressed while moving the shift lever. Depress the brake pedal and push the button when shifting.
The shift lever can be moved without depressing the lock release button.
47
Driving your vehicle
(Continued)
• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P(Park) into D (Drive), or R (Reverse)
when the engine is above idle speed.Transaxle rangesP (Park)This position locks the transaxle and pre-
vents the front wheels from rotating.
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into this position.
✽ ✽ NOTICEThe transaxle may be damaged if you
shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is in
motion.
R (Reverse)Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.✽ ✽NOTICEAlways 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.N (Neutral)With the gearshift in the N position, the
wheels and transaxle are not locked. The
vehicle will roll freely even on the slight-
est 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 4-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 thevehicle 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)
49
Driving your vehicle
Shift lock systemFor your safety, the Automatic Transaxle
has a shift lock system which prevents
shifting the transaxle out of P (Park)
unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift the transaxle out of P (Park):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition tothe ON position.
3. Depress the lock release button and move the shift lever.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering
sound near the shift lever may be heard.
This is a normal condition.Ignition key interlock systemThe ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position. If the ignition switch is in any
other position, the key cannot be
removed.
BRAKE SYSTEM Power brakes Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
usage.
In the event that the power-assisted
brakes lose power because of a stalled
engine or some other reason, you can
still stop your vehicle by applying greater
force to the brake pedal than you nor-
mally would. The stopping distance, how-
ever, will be longer.
When the engine is not running, the
reserve brake power is partially depleted
each time the brake pedal is applied. Do
not pump the brake pedal when the
power assist has been interrupted.
Pump the brake pedal only when neces-
sary to maintain steering control on slip-
pery surfaces.In the event of brake failure If service brakes fail to operate while the
vehicle is in motion, you can make an
emergency stop with the parking brake.
The stopping distance, however, will be
much greater than normal.
WARNING
- Parking brake
Pulling the parking brake while the
vehicle is moving at normal speeds
can cause a sudden loss of control
of the vehicle. If you must use the
parking brake to stop the vehicle,
use great caution in applying the
brake.
WARNING -
Brakes
Do not drive with your foot rest- ing on the brake pedal. This will
create abnormal high brake tem-
peratures, excessive brake lining
and pad wear, and increased
stopping distances.
When descending a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear and
avoid continuous application of
the brakes. Continuous brake
application will cause the brakes
to overheat and could result in a
temporary loss of braking per-
formance.
(Continued)
Driving your vehicle10
4Disc brakes wear indicator Your vehicle has disc brakes.
When your brake pads are worn and it's
time for new pads, you will hear a high-
pitched warning sound from your front
brakes or rear brakes (if equipped). You
may hear this sound come and go or it
may occur whenever you depress the
brake pedal.
Please remember that some driving
conditions or climates may cause a
brake squeal when you first apply (or
lightly apply) the brakes. This is nor-
mal and does not indicate a problem
with your brakes.
✽ ✽
NOTICETo avoid costly brake repairs, do not
continue to drive with worn brake pads.
Parking brake To apply the parking brake, pull the park-
ing brake handle fully and firmly upward
while applying the service brake.
(Continued)
Wet brakes may result in the vehi-
cle not slowing down at the usual
rate and pulling to one side when
the brakes are applied. After
going through water, apply the
brakes lightly to regain smooth
braking performance.
WARNING
- Brake wear
This brake wear warning sound
means your vehicle needs service.
If you ignore this audible warning,
you will eventually lose braking per-
formance, which could lead to a
serious accident.
CAUTION
Always replace brake pads as com-plete front or rear axle sets to ensure smooth brake performance.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brakeapplied will cause excessive brakepad and brake rotor wear.
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