At times you may notice a decrease in range. This
is normal for any remote keyless entry system.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have to
stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter
to work, try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from
your vehicle. You may need to stand closer
during rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps
to the left or right, hold the transmitter
higher, and try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 91.
If you are still having trouble, see your retailer
or a quali ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
With this feature, you can lock and unlock the
doors or the trunk from about 26 feet (8 m) away
using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
Q(Lock):Press this
symbol on the RKE
transmitter to lock the
doors. This also
arms the theft-deterrent
system. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on
page 103.
Your vehicle can be programmed so that the
parking lamps will ash and/or the horn will sound
when you lock the doors with the RKE transmitter.
See your retailer for more information on
programming this feature.
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R(RUN):This is the position the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when
the engine is running. But even when the ignition
is not running, you can use RUN to operate
your electrical accessories and to display some
warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACC or RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to RUN for normal driving.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s
door while in LOCK or ACC, when the key has not
been removed from the ignition.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember
to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after it
has been parked for an extended period of time.
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Shift Lock Release
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to LOCK and for ignition key removal in case of
a dead battery or low voltage battery.
1. Make sure the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Using a tool, pry off the cover from the bottom
of the steering column.3. Place your nger into the access hole and
locate the plunger.
4. Press and hold the plunger toward the driver’s
door while turning the ignition key to LOCK.
Remove the key.
Have your vehicle serviced at your retailer as
soon as possible.
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To prevent starter-motor gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. The engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACC (Accessory) or LOCK.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer
than 15 seconds at a time will cause your
battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
Wait about 15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.
2. If it does not start, wait about 15 seconds and
try again to start the engine by turning the
ignition to START. Wait about 15 seconds
between each try.
When the engine has run about 10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven.
Do not run your engine at high speed
when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C),
let the engine run for a few minutes to
warm up.3. If the engine still will not start, or starts but
then stops, it could be ooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding
it there as you hold the key in START
for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
brie y but then stops again, do the same
thing, but this time keep the pedal down for
ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
retailer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
release system. You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 110.
The shift lock release is designed to do the
following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed
unless the shift lever is in PARK (P), and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a position
other than LOCK. The shift lock release
is always functional except in the case of a
dead battery or low voltage (less than
9 volt) battery.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever — push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P), as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the
gear you wish. Press the shift lever button before
moving the shift lever.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch
pedal in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R),
and rmly apply the parking brake. Once the
shift lever has been placed in REVERSE (R) with
the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to LOCK, remove the key, and release
the clutch.
SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 112.
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Dome Lamp
The dome lamp switch has three positions.
ON:The lamp will stay on as long as the switch
is in this position.
DOOR:The lamp will come on when a door is
opened. See “Entry Lighting” for more information.
OFF:The lamp will not come on as long as the
switch is in this position.
Entry Lighting
If the dome lamp is to DOOR, the lamps inside
your vehicle will come on when any door is
opened. In addition, the light will come on when
the Remote Keyless Entry Unlock button is
on. It will stay on for 20 seconds or until a door is
opened. After the door is opened the light will
remain on and stay on for 20 seconds after
the doors are closed, or until you put the key in
the ignition and turn the key to RUN. The light will
then gradually dim until it is no longer lit.
Map Lamps
These lamps are located on the headliner above
the rearview mirror. To turn the lamps on, press the
lens. Press the lens again to turn them off.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed
to protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition
is turned off, the battery rundown protection
system automatically turns the lamp off after
20 minutes. This prevents draining of the battery.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlets can be used to
connect electrical equipment such as a cellular
phone or CB radio.
The accessory power outlets are located in the
middle and rear of the center console.
The front accessory power outlet has electrical
power available to it all the time. The rear
accessory power outlet only has electrical power
when the ignition key is turned on or the vehicle is
operating on Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 108.
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Dinghy Towing (All Transaxles)
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always tow your vehicle
using the dolly towing or dinghy towing
procedure listed in this section or put your
vehicle on a atbed truck.
To tow your vehicle from the front with all four
wheels on the ground, do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC (Accessory) to
unlock the steering wheel.3. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL.
4. Release the parking brake.
To prevent battery rundown on long trips, remove
the IP BATT 2 fuse (#41) from the engine
compartment fuse block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 378for more information.
Once you have reached your destination, be sure
to replace this fuse back into its original location.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing
your vehicle.
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs would not
be covered by the warranty. Never have your
vehicle towed from the rear.
Notice:Don’t tow a vehicle with the front
drive wheels on the ground if one of the front
tires is a compact spare tire. Towing with
two different tire sizes on the front of the
vehicle can cause severe damage to the
transaxle.
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8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to
the negative (−) terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything until
the next step. The other end of the
negative (−) cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (−)
cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from
the dead battery, but not near engine
parts that move. The electrical connection is
just as good there, and the chance of
sparks getting back to the battery is much
less.
Your vehicle has a remote negative (−)
terminal for this purpose.10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery
and run the engine for a while.
11. Press the unlock button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, if the vehicle
has one, to disarm your security system.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead
battery. If it will not start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
Notice:If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage the vehicle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Always connect and remove
the jumper cables in the correct order, making
sure that the cables do not touch each other
or other metal.
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