If the immobilizer system does not recognize the
electronic code when the key is turned to START,
the engine will not start and the security indicator will
continue blinking. If your key is ever damaged, you may
not be able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the security light continues flashing, there
may be a problem with the theft-deterrent system.
Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another key. At this time, you may
also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-89. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty. See your
dealer/retailer who can have a new key made.
Up to five keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
If you lose or damage your keys, only a dealer/retailer
can have new keys made.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-8.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-17
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transmission. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h)
and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want
to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not drive in SECOND (2) at speeds
over 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage
the transmission. Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D4)
as much as possible. Do not shift into SECOND (2)
unless you are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h)
or you can damage your engine.FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power but
lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on
very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in FIRST (1), the transmission will not shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
If there is a malfunction with the automatic transmission,
the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or the HOLD
indicator light will turn on or flash. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-49orHold Mode Light
on page 3-48.
Have your vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
2-23
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
bucket seats.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-33.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-26
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-8
Other Warning Devices...................................3-8
Horn.............................................................3-8
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-9
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-9
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................3-10
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................3-10
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-10
Windshield Wipers........................................3-11
Windshield Washer.......................................3-12
Rear Window Wiper/Washer (Hatchback).........3-12
Cruise Control..............................................3-13
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-15
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-16
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-18
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19
Clock..........................................................3-20Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-29
Trip Odometer..............................................3-29
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-30
Airbag Readiness Light.................................
.3-30
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator (Sedan).......3-31
Charging System Light..................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-34
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-39
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-40
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-40
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light.....3-40
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-42
Secondary Information Center (SIC).................3-43
Secondary Information Center (SIC)
(Hatchback Only).......................................3-43
Clock (Hatchback Only).................................3-44
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-44
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-45
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
(Hatchback)..............................................3-46
Charging System Light..................................3-47
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-48
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-48
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-49Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-52
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-53
Cruise Control Light......................................3-53
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-53
Audio System(s).............................................3-54
AM-FM Radio (Single Display, Base Level).......3-55
AM-FM Radio (Double Display, Base Level).....3-56
Radio with CD (MP3/WMA)............................3-60
Radio with Six-Disc CD (MP3/WMA)................3-66
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD Player).............3-72
Using an MP3 (Radio with Six-Disc Player)......3-75
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-78
Radio Reception...........................................3-79
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-79
Care of the CD Player...................................3-79
Fixed Mast Antenna (Hatchback).....................3-80
Backglass Antenna (Sedan)...........................3-80
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
3. Press the SET button and release it. The cruise
control light will come on in the instrument panel
cluster to show that the cruise control is on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerate pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set to a desired speed
and then the brakes are applied, or the clutch pedal
if you have a manual transmission. This shuts off
the cruise control. But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle is going about 24 mph (39 km/h)
or more, briefly press the RESUME button.
The vehicle returns to the chosen speed and
stays there.
If the RESUME button is held longer, the vehicle keeps
going faster until the button is released or the brake
pedal is applied. Do not hold in the RESUME button,
unless you want the vehicle to go faster.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to a higher speed.
Press the SET button, then release the button and
the accelerator pedal. The vehicle will now
cruise at the higher speed.
•Press the RESUME button. Hold it there until the
desired speed is reached, and then release the
button. To increase the vehicle’s speed in very small
amounts, briefly press the RESUME button and
then release it. Each time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature only works after the cruise
control is turned on by pressing the SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce the vehicle’s speed while
using cruise control:
•Press the SET button until the lower speed desired
is reached, then release it.
•To slow down in very small amounts, briefly press
the SET button. Each time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
3-14
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed
set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed. When
going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to keep the vehicle’s speed down. Applying the
brake pedal will turn off the cruise control. Many drivers
find this to be too much trouble and do not use cruise
control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal, or press the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission.
•Press the ON OFF button on the cruise control pad.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased, when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp band has three positions:
3(Headlamps):Turn the band to this position to turn
on the headlamps, together with the following:
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamp
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Parking Lamps
The headlamps automatically turn off when the ignition
key is turned to LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY.Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-15
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the band to this position to
turn on the parking lamps, together with the taillamps,
license plate lamp, and instrument panel lights.
OFF:Turn the band to this position to turn all lamps off,
except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
Headlamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened while the ignition is turned
to LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY with the lamps
left on, a warning chime will sound.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold
in Canada.The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
•The ignition is on.
•The exterior lamp band is in OFF or in the parking
lamp position.
•The parking brake is released.
An indicator light on instrument panel cluster will come
on when the DRL system is on.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior lamps
control to the parking lamp or headlamp position.
The DRL system will turn off when one of the following
conditions are met:
•The ignition is off.
•The parking brake is on.
•The high-beam headlamps are on.
•The low-beam headlamps are on.
•The flash-to-pass feature is used.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-16