STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 144
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 144
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 146
▫ After Starting ....................... 147
Manual Transmission ................... 147
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ............. 149
▫ Skip Shift Indicator Light ............... 150
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 151
▫ Acceleration ........................ 151 ▫
Traction ........................... 151
Driving Through Water ................. 151
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 152
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 152
Power Steering ....................... 154
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 154
Parking Brake ........................ 155
Brake System ........................ 157
▫ Brake Pad Break-In ................... 157
5
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle. If the
vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow this procedure carefully. Refer to “Jump
Starting” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the ENGINE
START button is released. If this occurs, continue crank-
ing up to 15 seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and
the ENGINE START button once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15 sec-
ond periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should be
repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged and the
shift lever placed into REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially when parked on an incline.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 147
into REVERSE with the ignition key OFF. This is
normal operation of the transmission reverse inhibitor
system.
•Shifting gears during cold weather may require an
increased effort until the transmission lubricant is
warm. This is normal and not harmful to the transmis-
sion.
•Due to the high performance nature of your drivetrain,
a certain amount of noise from the transmission is
normal. This noise can be most noticeable when the
vehicle is idling in NEUTRAL with the clutch engaged
(clutch pedal released), but it may also be heard when
driving. The noise may also be more noticeable when
the transmission is warm. This noise is normal and is
not an indication of a problem with your clutch or
transmission.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for fuel economy it
should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle
speeds listed for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during
cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6
mph 15 25 40 45 50
(km/h) (24) (40) (64) (72) (80)
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 149
WARNING! (Continued)
•TIREFIT Sealant solution contains latex. In case of
allergic reaction or rash, consult a physician im-
mediately. Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water. Do not
induce vomiting! Consult a physician immedi-
ately.
•Use the gloves provided in the Accessory Storage
Compartment (located on the bottom of the air
pump) when operating the TIREFIT kit.
Sealing a Tire with TIREFIT
(A) Whenever You Stop to Use TIREFIT:
1. Pull over to a safe location and turn ON the vehicle’s
Hazard Warning flashers.2. Verify that the valve stem (on the wheel with the
deflated tire) is in a position that is near to the ground.
This will allow the TIREFIT Hoses (6) and (7) to reach the
valve stem and keep the TIREFIT kit flat on the ground.
This will provide the best positioning of the kit when
injecting the sealant into the deflated tire and running the
air pump. Move the vehicle as necessary to place the
valve stem in this position before proceeding.
3. Place the transmission in PARK (auto transmission) or
in Gear (manual transmission) and turn OFF the ignition.
4. Set the parking brake.
(B) Setting Up to Use TIREFIT:
1. Remove the gloves from the Accessory Storage Com-
partment (located on the bottom of the air pump) and
place them on your hands.
2. Turn the Mode Select Knob (5) to the Sealant Mode
position.
196 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
3. Uncoil the Sealant Hose (6) and then remove the
yellow cap from the fitting at the end of the hose.
4. Place the TIREFIT kit flat on the ground next to the
deflated tire.
5. Remove the cap from the valve stem and then screw
the fitting at the end of the Sealant Hose (6) onto the
valve stem.
6. Uncoil the Power Plug (8) and then insert the plug into
the vehicle’s 12 Volt power outlet.
NOTE:Do not remove foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) from the tire.
(C) Injecting TIREFIT Sealant into the deflated
tire:
•
Always start the engine before turning ON the TIRE-
FIT kit. NOTE:
Manual transmission vehicles must have the
parking brake engaged and the shifter in NEUTRAL.
•After pressing the Power Button (4), the sealant (white
fluid) will flow from the Sealant Bottle (1) through the
Sealant Hose (6) and into the tire.
NOTE: Sealant may leak out through the puncture in
the tire.
If the sealant (white fluid) does not flow within 0 –
10 seconds through the Sealant Hose (6):
1. Press the Power Button (4) to turn OFF the TIREFIT
kit. Disconnect the Sealant Hose (6) from the valve stem.
Make sure the valve stem is free of debris. Reconnect the
Sealant Hose (6) to the valve stem. Check that the Mode
Select Knob (5) is in the sealant mode position and not air
mode. Press the Power Button (4) to turn ON the TIREFIT
kit.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 197
▫Manual Transmission ................. 235
▫ Hydraulic Clutch .................... 236
▫ Rear Axle .......................... 237
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 237
▫ Aero Group — If Equipped ............. 241
Fuses .............................. 244
▫ Power Distribution Center .............. 244
▫ Mini-Power Distribution Center .......... 247
Vehicle Storage ....................... 247
Replacement Bulbs .................... 250
Bulb Replacement ..................... 251
▫
Auxiliary High Beam Headlamp, Front Park/
Turn Signal Lamp, Front Side Marker Lamp
. . 251 ▫
High Intensity
Discharge Headlamps (HID) ............ 252
▫ Front Fog Lamp ..................... 253
▫ Taillamp, Tail/Stop Lamp, Rear Marker
Lamp ............................. 254
▫ Taillamp, Tail/Stop Lamp, Rear Marker
Lamp (Coupe Models) ................. 255
▫ Backup Lamp, Rear Turn Signal Lamp ..... 256
▫ License Lamp ....................... 259
Fluid Capacities ...................... 260
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 261
▫ Engine ............................ 261
▫ Chassis ........................... 262
208 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in an accident.
Change Brake Fluid
Brake fluid will tend to absorb moisture from the atmo-
sphere over time. If the fluid becomes contaminated with
water, brake performance will deteriorate. Therefore, the
brake fluid must be changed at the intervals specified in
the “Maintenance Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance
Schedule” for further information. See your authorized
dealer for service.
Manual Transmission
Transmission Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid in the transmission when performing
other underhood services.Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug located on
the left side of the transmission. The fluid level should be
at the bottom of the fill hole. Add fluid, if necessary, to
maintain the proper level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants,
and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or damage to the
transmission. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
Change Transmission Fluid
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals. If contaminated with water, change the
fluid immediately. See your authorized dealer for service.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 235
Engine Oil Viscosity................... 215,260
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 215
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 53
Ethanol ............................... 182
Exhaust Gas Caution ............30,64,185,224,225
Exhaust System ....................... 64,224
Express Down Windows ................... 21
Exterior Finish Care ...................... 238
Exterior Lights .......................... 67
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 216
Engine Oil ........................ 216,261
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 216
Finish Care ............................ 238
Flashers Hazard Warning .................... 11 1,190
Turn Signal ...................... 67,91,111
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 91 Flooded Engine Starting
................... 146
Floor Console .......................... 102
Fluid Capacities ......................... 260
Fluid Leaks ............................. 67
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................ 233,262
Capacities ........................... 260
Clutch Fluid .......................... 236
Cooling System ....................... 227
Engine Oil ........................... 214
Manual Transmission ................235,262
Power Steering ..................... 154,262
Fluids ................................ 261
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 261
Fog Lights ......................... 88,90,110
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 190
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 205
Fuel ................................. 181
Adding ............................. 185
300 INDEX