Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle
is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed goes down as your
engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects components. If the key is
turned to the START position, and then released
when the engine begins cranking, the engine
continues cranking for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and
the key is held in START, cranking stops after
15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To
prevent gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition
switch to the ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
position.Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down. When the
engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If
the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing. This clears the extra gasoline from
the engine. Do not race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
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 dealer/retailer. If you do not, your
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
3-23
ProCarManuals.com
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
{WARNING:
Exiting the vehicle, without first shifting into
P (Park), may cause the vehicle to move, you or
others may be injured. Because the vehicle has
the Automatic Engine Start/Stop feature, the
vehicle’s engine might seem to be shut off,
however, once the brake pedal is released, the
engine will start up again.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, before exiting the vehicle.The vehicle has an automatic engine start/stop feature.
After the engine is started and has reached operating
temperature, the AUTO STOP feature may cause
the engine to turn off when you apply the brakes and
come to a complete stop. When you take your foot
off the brake pedal or press the accelerator pedal, the
engine will start. The engine will continue to run until the
next AUTO STOP.
The AUTO STOP symbol on the tachometer signifies
that the engine is in AUTO STOP mode. SeeAuto Stop
Mode on page 4-36for more information. When the
vehicle is turned off, the tachometer will move to OFF. If
the driver door is opened while in AUTO STOP mode,
a chime will sound.
To restart the engine during the AUTO STOP, release
the brake pedal or press the accelerator pedal. The
engine starts immediately. The vehicle continues to run
until the next stop.
There are several conditions which may prevent an
AUTO STOP or cause an AUTO START.
3-24
ProCarManuals.com
The Engine Will Remain Running When:
•
The engine, transmission, or hybrid battery is
not warmed up yet.
•The outside temperature is less than 5°F (−15°C).
•While the A/C is in Normal Mode.
•A/C is in Hybrid Mode and the climate control
system is working to cool the vehicle. SeeAutomatic
Climate Control System on page 4-16for more
information.
•Defrost is selected.
•The shift lever is in P (Park), N (Neutral),
R (Reverse), I (Intermediate) or L (Low).
•The hybrid battery pack charge is low.
•The 12V vehicle battery charge is low, or loads
are high.
•The hood is not fully closed.
The Engine Will Restart When:
•
The brake pedal is released.
•The accelerator pedal is applied.
•When shifting out of D (Drive) to any other gear.
•If the Hybrid A/C button is selected, the duration of
the AUTO STOP will depend on the outside
temperature. This economy mode improves fuel
economy by limiting the effects of the air
conditioning. The warmer it is outside, the shorter
the time before the engine is restarted to provide
cabin cooling.
•The climate control system is turned from Off to
Normal A/C or defrost SeeAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 4-16for more information.
•The engine is required to run for either heater
or climate control performance. See “Air
Conditioning Engine Start/Stop” underAutomatic
Climate Control System on page 4-16for more
information.
•The hybrid battery pack charge is low and requires
recharging.
•Auto Stop time is greater than two minutes.
3-25
ProCarManuals.com
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 5-19.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicles is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving with the
automatic transmission. It provides the best fuel
economy. If you need more power for passing, and you
are:
•Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going above 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 5-12.
3-28
ProCarManuals.com
I (Intermediate):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed without using
the brakes for slight downgrades. If constant upshifting
or downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills,
this position can be used to prevent repetitive shifts. You
might choose I (Intermediate) instead of D (Drive)
when driving on hilly, winding roads, so that there is
less shifting between gears.
The engine will not Auto Stop when the shifter is in
I (Intermediate). SeeStarting the Engine (Automatic
Engine Start/Stop) on page 3-22
L (Low):This position reduces vehicle speed more
than I (Intermediate) without actually using the brakes.
Use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in L (Low), the transmission will not
shift into L (Low) 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 the vehicle warranty. If you
are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a
hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
push down the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot. If the ignition is
on, the brake system
warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System
Warning Light on
page 4-27.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot. Push down momentarily
on the parking brake pedal with your left foot until you
feel the pedal release. If the parking brake is not
released when you begin to drive, the brake system
warning light will be on and a chime will sound warning
you that the parking brake is still on.
3-29
ProCarManuals.com
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Exiting the vehicle, without first shifting into
P (Park), may cause the vehicle to move, and you
or others can be seriously injured. Because the
vehicle has the Automatic Engine Start/Stop
feature, the vehicle’s engine might seem to be
shut off when you come to a complete stop.
However, once the brake pedal is released, the
vehicle can move. The vehicle’s engine can also
restart at any time.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF, before exiting the vehicle.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-33.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 3-30.
3-34
ProCarManuals.com
When the heater is in use, there might be slight noise or
vibration during Auto Stops. This is due to the coolant
circulation pump that continues to circulate heat through
the system during the engine Auto Stop.
The heater works best if the windows are kept closed.
h(Recirculation):Press to turn on the recirculation
mode. An indicator light above the button comes on
to show it is on. The recirculation mode recirculates and
helps to quickly cool the air inside the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
the vehicle and for maximum air conditioning
performance in hot weather. Only use this mode when it
is needed for comfort.
Press this button to cancel the auto recirculation
feature. Each time the vehicle is started, the system
reverts to the auto recirculation function.
If recirculation is selected while in defrost, defog or floor
mode, the light on the button flashes three times and
then goes out to indicate that this is not allowed. This is
to prevent window fogging.
When the weather is cool or damp, operating the
system in recirculation for extended periods of time can
cause fogging of the vehicle’s windows. To clear the
fog, select either defog or defrost. Make sure the
air conditioning is on. Allow the air conditioning to run
automatically to help dehumidify the air.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear):Press to turn the rear window defogger on
or off. An indicator light above the button comes on
to show that the rear window defogger is on.
If driving below 50 mph (80 km/h), the rear window
defogger turns off about 15 minutes after the button is
pressed. If additional warming time is needed, press the
button again.
If the vehicle’s speed is maintained above 50 mph
(80 km/h), the rear window defogger remains on once
the button is pressed.
If the vehicle has heated outside mirrors, the surface of
the outside mirrors also heat when the rear window
defogger is activated. SeeOutside Power Mirrors
on page 3-35.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
4-20
ProCarManuals.com
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-41
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped, have
the vehicle towed for service.
United StatesCanada
4-27
ProCarManuals.com