Page 293 of 488

IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15
seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
AFTER STARTING
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TURBOCHARGER(COOL-DOWN(
NOTE:Letting the engine idle after severe operation
allows the turbine housing to cool to normal operating
temperature. Do not increase the idle speed manually.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5
Page 298 of 488

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission gear selector lever
into the PARK position:
²When shifting the gear selector lever into PARK,
depress the button on the gear selector lever knob and
firmly move the lever all the way forward until it
stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the PARK position.
²When engaged in PARK, you will not be able to move
the gear selector lever rearward without depressing
the gear selector lever knob button
CAUTION!
Before shifting the gear selector lever out of PARK,
you must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and gear selector lever are released.
Otherwise, damage to the steering column or gear
selector lever could result.
REVERSE
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range.
DRIVE / OVERDRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and best fuel economy.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 299 of 488

When frequent transaxle shifting occurs while using the
DRIVE/OVERDRIVE range, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds, or while towing trail-
ers), use the[3]range.
[3] DRIVE
This range eliminates shifts into OVERDRIVE. The trans-
axle will operate normally in first and second while in
this range.
NOTE:Using the[3]range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance, fuel economy, and extend transaxle life by reduc-
ing excessive shifting and heat build up.
Use the[3]range when descending steep grades to
prevent brake system distress.
[1] Low
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, up shifts
will occur only to prevent engine over speed while down
shifts from[2]to[1]will occur as early as possible.
AUTOSTICK Ð IF EQUIPPED
AUTOSTICK is a driver-interactive transmission that
offers manual gear shifting capability to provide you
with more control. AUTOSTICK allows you to maximize
engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and
downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situa-
tions.
STARTING AND OPERATING 299
5
Page 304 of 488

MANUAL TRANSAXLE Ð RECOMMENDED SHIFT
SPEEDS
To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in Table 1.
Table 1 - Manual Transaxle Normal Acceleration
And Cruise Shift Speeds In mph (km/h)
Engine Mode1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L
TurboAccel-
eration15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (65) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 42 (68) 45 (72)
2.4L
Non-
TurboAccel-
eration15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (65) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 42 (68) 45 (72)
For improved performance, your manual transaxle may
be upshifted up to the maximum speeds listed in Table 2
(within legal speed limits).
Table 2 - Manual Transaxle Maximum Performance
Shift Speeds In mph (km/h)
Engine1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L30 (48) 60 (97) 85 (136) 115 (185)
If you exceed these speeds, you may notice the engine cut
in and out. This is caused by an electronic limiter in the
engine computer. The engine will run normally when
you reduce engine speed.
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high an engine speed, you could damage the
engine, transmission, or clutch.
304 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 322 of 488

2. EconomyÐ
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases
tire rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consump-
tion.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle StabilityÐ
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed either on
the face of the driver's door or on the driver's side ªBº
pillar.
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less than themaximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the ªSupplemental Tire Pressure
Informationº section of this manual.
The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
Tire Placard Location
322 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 334 of 488

NOTE:
²TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care and
maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire failure or
condition.
²TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
²Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
²TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver 's responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure using an accurate tire pressure gauge,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPM Light.
²Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pressure in
the tire.
BASE SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the Receiver Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle monthly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
²Receiver Module
²Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
²Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
334 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 337 of 488

FUEL REQUIREMENTS Ð GASOLINE ENGINES
2.4L AND 2.4L STANDARD TURBO ENGINES
2.4L standard engines are designed to meet
all emission regulations and provide excel-
lent fuel economy and performance when
using high quality unleaded ªregularº
gasolines having an octane rating of 87.
The use of premium gasoline is not recom-
mended. Under normal conditions, the use of premium
gasoline will not provide a benefit over high quality
unleaded ªregularº gasolines, and in some circumstances
may result in poorer performance.
REFORMULATED GASOLINE
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning gasoline referred to as ªReformulated Gasolineº.
Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe-
cifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and im-
prove air quality.The manufacturer supports the use of reformulated gaso-
lines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines will pro-
vide excellent performance and durability of engine and
fuel system components.
GASOLINE/OXYGENATE BLENDS
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with oxy-
genates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE, and ETBE. Oxygen-
ates are required in some areas of the country during the
winter months to reduce carbon monoxide emissions.
Fuels blended with these oxygenates may be used in
your vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasoline containing Methanol or E85
Ethanol. Use of these blends may result in starting
and driveability problems and may damage critical
fuel system components.
STARTING AND OPERATING 337
5
Page 338 of 488

Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline or
E85 Ethanol blends are not the responsibility of the
manufacturer. While MTBE is an oxygenate made from
Methanol, it does not have the negative effects of Metha-
nol.
MMT IN GASOLINE
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase the octane num-
ber. Gasolines blended with MMT offer no performance
advantage beyond gasolines of the same octane number
without MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT have shown
to reduce spark plug life and reduce emission system
performance in some vehicles. The manufacturer recom-
mends using gasolines without MMT. Since the MMT
content of gasoline may not be indicated on the pump,
you should ask your gasoline retailer whether or not
his/her gasoline contains MMT.It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada, because MMT can be used at levels
higher than those allowed in the United States.
MMT is prohibited in Federal and California reformu-
lated gasolines.MATERIALS ADDED TO FUEL
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in additional cost. Therefore
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
FUEL SYSTEM CAUTIONS
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle's
performance:
338 STARTING AND OPERATING