
off, the gear selector must  be  in the (P)ark position before the key  can be  removed from  the ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly  higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic  transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
WARNING!
An extra mat on the driver's floor  can cause the accelerator  pedal to catch. Check that the movement of the
accelerator  pedal is not impeded.  No more than one  protective floor  covering may be  used at one  time.
WARNING!
Always place the gear selector in Park or in reverse  on models with a  manual  transmission, and  apply the parking
brake before leaving  the vehicle. Never  leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Always open  garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a  garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain  carbon monoxide, which  is invisible  and  odorless but very poisonous
1. If two of the keys to  your vehicle are close together, e.g. on the same key ring,  when  you try to  start the vehicle, this could cause interference  in
the immobilizer system  and result in  the vehicle not starting.  If this should occur,  remove one of the keys from  the key ring before  trying  to  start
the vehicle again.
pg. 112 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
CAUTION!
Automatic transmission
The engine should be  idling when you move the gear selector. Never  accelerate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a  gear will cause harsh engagement and  premature transmission
wear.
Selecting P or N when idling at a  standstill for prolonged periods  of time will help prevent overheating of the
automatic  transmission fluid.
Do not race a  cold engine immediately after starting.
Ignition switch and steering wheel  lock
0 - Locked position:
Remove the key  to lock the steering wheel
1.
WARNING!
Never  turn the key  to position O while driving or when the vehicle is being towed.
I - Intermediate position
2 - "radio position" : Certain  accessories, radio, etc. on, daytime running lights off.
II - Drive position:  The key  position when driving. The vehicle's entire electrical system is connected.
III - Start position:  Release the key  when the engine starts.
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The key  returns automatically  to the Drive position.
A chime will sound if the key is left in the ignition and the driver's door is opened.
Steering wheel  lock
The steering wheel lock might be  under tension when the vehicle is parked.
Turn  the steering wheel slightly  to free the ignition key.
In  order to help reduce vehicle  theft, make sure the steering wheel  lock is engaged before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never  switch off the ignition (turn  the ignition key  to position 0) or remove the key  from  the ignition switch while
the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering wheel to lock, which  would make the vehicle impossible to
steer.
1. The  gear selector must  be  in  the ( P)ark position (automatic transmission).
2. Please  be  aware  that leaving  the key in  this position will  increase battery  drain.
pg. 113 Starting and driving
Economical driving
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better  driving economy may be  obtained  by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and  stops and  adjusting the speed of
your vehicle to immediate traffic  conditions. Observe the following rules:
 Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a  light foot on the accelerator
pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and  is subject to increased wear.
 Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
 Drive carefully and  avoid rapid acceleration and  hard braking.
 Do not exceed posted speed limits.
 Avoid carrying unnecessary  items (extra load) in the vehicle.
 Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
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 Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
 Note  that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance  and  also fuel consumption.
 Avoid using automatic  transmission kickdown  feature unless necessary.
 However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be  lower with the air conditioning on and  the windows
closed than with the air conditioning off and  the windows open.
 Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors  that decrease gas mileage are:
 Dirty air cleaner
 Dirty engine oil and  clogged oil filter
 Dragging brakes
 Incorrect front  end  alignment.
Some of the above mentioned items and  others  are checked at the standard Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE:  Vehicles equipped with automatic  transmissions  should use (D)rive  as often as possible and  avoid using
"kickdown"  to help improve fuel economy.
CAUTION!
Drive slowly and  carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the engine could
result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake  system. Never  drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot
(300 mm).
pg. 114 Starting and driving
Handling  and road holding
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a  tendency to understeer, which  means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a  bend.
This ensures good stability and  reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the
vehicle load. The heavier  the load in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling,  roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and  inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore,  check that the tires are inflated to
the recommended pressure according  to the vehicle load. See  "Tire  pressure" section.
Loads  should be  distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Speed-sensitive power steering (Option on certain models)
With this  feature, the steering is most  responsive at lower speeds to make parking, driving in city traffic,  etc., easier.
The effect of the power steering diminishes as you accelerate for greater stability at highway  speeds.
Driving through  water
The vehicle can be  driven through water up to a  depth of approximately 9 in. (25 cm), at a  maximum speed of 6 mph
(10 km/h).
Take particular care when driving through flowing water.
Clean the electrical connections for trailer wiring after driving in mud or water When driving through water, maintain
low speed and  do not stop in the water.
WARNING!
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After driving through water, press lightly on the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes are functioning normally.
Water  or mud can make the brake linings slippery, resulting in delayed braking effect.
CAUTION!
 Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
 If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 9 in (25 cm), water may enter the differential  and  the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and  may shorten  the service life of these components.
 Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer than absolutely necessary.  This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
 If the engine has been stopped while the car is in water, do not attempt to restart the engine. Have the car towed
out of the water.
pg. 115 Starting and driving
Manual transmission
6-speed manual transmission  (option on certain models)
Depress the clutch  pedal completely  when changing gears
1.
Remove your foot from  the clutch  pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be  followed.
Fifth  and  sixth  gears should be  used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
WARNING!
An extra mat on the driver's floor  can cause the accelerator  pedal and/or the clutch  pedal to catch. Check that the
movement of these pedals is not impeded.  Not more than one  protective floor  covering may be  used at one  time.
Engaging reverse gear
Never  engage R while the vehicle is moving. CAUTION!
Be careful to avoid inadvertently engaging reverse  while moving forward.
1. Clutch interlock
The  clutch must  be  fully depressed  before  you can  start your vehicle. If the clutch is not depressed, it  will  not be  possible to  start the engine.
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pg. 116 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option)
P (Park)
Use this  position when starting the engine or parking the vehicle.
Never  use P while the vehicle is in motion. The parking brake should be  set whenever  the vehicle is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from  this
position, the engine must  be  running (or the ignition key  must  be  in position II) and  the brake pedal must  be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never  leave the vehicle unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from  P , the
vehicle may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never  engage R while the vehicle is moving.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D  is the normal driving position and  should be  used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The vehicle
should not be  moving when shifting from  R  to the D position.
4 (Intermediate  gear)
The transmission will shift automatically  between gears 4, 3, 2 or 1 from  this  position. The transmission cannot shift up
to ( D)rive from  fourth  gear.
3 (Intermediate  gear)
The transmission will shift automatically  between gears 3, 2 and  1 from  this  position. The transmission cannot shift up
to fourth  gear or ( D)rive from  third gear.
L (Low gears)
The transmission is locked in gears 1 and  2 when the selector is in this  position.
NOTE:  Gears 4, 3, or L can be  used if you are driving in a  mountainous area, towing a  trailer or to increase engine
braking effect.
The transmission has a  built-in limiter designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm)  when gears 4, 3 or
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L are selected.
pg. 117 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option)
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle  traction
 Mode W  will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
 Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this  driving mode (see illustration).
 When the W  driving mode is engaged, this  is displayed in the instrument panel (see page 44).
 This mode may be  selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
NOTE:  R-models are not equipped with this  button.
Shift gate positions
The gear selector can be  moved freely between N  and  D.
Depressing the button on the front  of the gear selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N,
D, 4, 3 and  L.
"Kickdown"
Automatic shift to a  lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator  pedal fully and  briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching  the top speed for a  particular gear or by releasing the accelerator  pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be  used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway  speeds.
Cold starts
When driving before the engine has reached its  normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly
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higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.
Automatic transmission  - adaptive system
The automatic  transmission is controlled by an  adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which  the
transmission functions. It senses and  adapts each gear shift for optimal performance.
pg. 118 Starting and driving
Geartronic (option)
P Park
Use this  position when starting the engine or parking the vehicle.
Never use P while the vehicle  is in motion.
The parking brake should also be  set whenever  the vehicle is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from  this
position, the engine must  be  running (or the ignition key  must  be  in position II) and  the brake pedal must  be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never  leave the vehicle unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from  P, the
vehicle may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never  engage R while the vehicle is moving.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and  should be  used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The vehicle
should not be  moving when shifting from  R  to the D position.
Shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the ( MAN)ual and  ( D)rive positions while driving.
Depress the button on the front  of the gear selector knob to move between the R, N, D, and  P positions.
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Manual shifting
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and  ( D)rive positions while driving. Gears 3, 4, 5, and  6
(where applicable)  have a  "lock -up" function which  reduces engine speed and  helps save fuel.
The currently selected gear will be  displayed in the instrument panel (see page 44
).
 To access the ( MAN)ual shifting position from  ( D)rive, move the gear selector to the left to MAN .
 To return to the (D)rive position from  MAN , move the gear selector to the right.
pg. 119 Starting and driving
Geartronic (option)
While driving
If you select the (MAN)ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the ( D)rive position will also
initially be  selected in ( MAN)ual position.
 Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a  higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a  lower
gear.
 If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one  gear and  will utilize the braking power
of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a  lower gear, the downshift will not occur until the speed has
decreased  enough  to allow the lower gear to be  used.
 If you slow down to a  very low speed, the transmission will automatically  shift down.
 When starting in the ( MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be  selected.
NOTE:  Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual  shift (Geartronic)  mode.The gear selector
must  be  in the D (Drive)  position.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a  lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator  pedal fully and  briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching  the top speed for a  particular gear or by releasing the accelerator  pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be  used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway  speeds.
Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual  shift (Geartronic)  mode.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle  traction
Please refer  to the information on page 117
.
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