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.
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Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater should be plugged
in at least four hours before starting. Some models may
have an internal thermostat in the cord which will
prevent engine coolant heater operation at temperatures
above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
engine coolant heater cord is located near the air
cleaner box on the passenger side of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 6-14for more information on location.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in
the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
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The PUSH PARK PEDAL message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) to remind you
to release the parking brake. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-41.
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.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking takes some of the energy from
the moving vehicle and turns it back into electrical
energy. This energy is then stored back into the
vehicle’s hybrid battery system, contributing to increased
fuel efficiency.
The system works whenever you take your foot off the
accelerator pedal while the vehicle is moving in a
forward gear. This causes the vehicle to slow down
more quickly. It may feel like the brake pedal is being
pressed, even when it is not.
Shifting Into Park
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking
brake.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pressing the
button on the shift lever while pushing the shift
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF/LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
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Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before leaving it. After moving the
shift lever into P (Park), hold the brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from P (Park) without first pushing the shift lever button.
If you can, the shift lever was not fully locked in
P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too
much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. This
happens when parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not done properly and then
it is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park).
To find out how, see “Shifting Into P (Park)” listed
previously.
If torque lock does occur, your vehicle may need to be
pushed uphill by another vehicle to relieve the parking
pawl pressure, so you can shift out of P (Park).
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Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light indicates that the
engine coolant has
overheated or the radiator
cooling fan is not
working.
This light comes on briefly when the engine is started. If
it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
If the light comes on and the vehicle has been operating
under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop
the vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeCooling System on page 6-22for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system, this
light comes on briefly when the engine is started. It
provides information about tire pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires are
significantly underinflated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 4-37for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the proper
pressure. SeeIn ation - Tire Pressure on page 6-49for
more information.
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To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when
you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal slightly so
the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the
battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to
save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-20.If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{WARNING:
If the vehicle’s tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 6-64.
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Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements.............................................6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of the Vehicle.............................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-6
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-7
California Fuel...............................................6-7
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-8
Filling the Tank..............................................6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-22
Cooling System............................................6-22
Engine Coolant.............................................6-23
Engine Overheating.......................................6-28Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-30
Brakes........................................................6-31
Battery........................................................6-34
Jump Starting...............................................6-35
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-39
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-39
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-39
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................6-40
License Plate Lamp.....................................
.6-41
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-42
Tires..............................................................6-43
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-44
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................6-46
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................6-49
High-Speed Operation...................................6-50
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-51
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-52
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-55
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-57
Buying New Tires.........................................6-58
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-59
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-61
Wheel Replacement......................................6-62
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
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{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 miles)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system and how
to check and add coolant when it is low. If there is
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-28.
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