STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. Off— locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal.
2. Accessory— allows the
electrical accessories such as
the radio to operate while the
engine is not running.
3. On— all electrical circuits
operational and warning lights
will illuminate. This is the
position the key is in when
you’re driving.
4. Start— cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
Note:This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
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Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 3 (on) without
turning the key to 4 (start). If
there is difficulty in turning the
key, rotate the steering wheel
until the key turns freely. This
condition may occur when:
•the front wheels are turned.
•a front wheel is against the curb.
2. Turn the key to 4 (start), then
release the key as soon as the
engine begins cranking. Your vehicle has a computer assisted
cranking system that assists in starting the engine. After releasing
the key from the 4 (start) position, the engine may continue
cranking for up to 10 seconds or until the vehicle starts.
Note:Cranking may be stopped at any time by turning the key to the off
position.
3. After idling for a few seconds, release the parking brake, apply the
brake, shift into gear and drive.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, turn the key to the off
position, wait 10 seconds and try Step 2 again. If the engine still fails to
start, press the accelerator to the floor and try Step 2 again, keeping the
accelerator on the floor until the engine begins to accelerate above
cranking speeds; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off
in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
The starting characteristics of all grades of E
85ethanol make it
unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C).
Consult your fuel distributor for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol (same as with unleaded gasoline). If
summer grade ethanol is used in cold weather conditions, 0°F to 32°F
(-18°C to 0°C), you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle
or hesitation until the engine has warmed up.
You may experience a decrease in peak performance when the engine is
cold when operating on E
85ethanol.
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Do not crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to off and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system. Such
fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and possible
personal injury.
If you should experience cold weather starting problems on E
85ethanol,
and neither an alternative brand of E
85ethanol nor an engine block
heater is available, the addition of unleaded gasoline to your tank will
improve cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on E
85ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
SeeChoosing the right fuelin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information on ethanol.
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions (flexible
fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to
start, repeat Step 1.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is present in exhaust
fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
WARNING:If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your authorized dealer inspect and fix your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes. These
fumes are harmful and result in accident or death.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked whenever:
•the vehicle is raised for service.
•the sound of the exhaust system changes.
•the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
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WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
Note:The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake.
Driving with the parking brake
on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) SYSTEM
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system provides the following
stability enhancement features for certain driving situations:
•Traction control (TCS), which functions to help avoid drive-wheel spin
and loss of traction
•Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
•Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), which functions to help avoid a
vehicle roll-over
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provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally, whenever the battery is
disconnected or a new battery installed, the strategy must be relearned.
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic
transmission
Your vehicle has been designed to improve fuel economy by reducing
fuel usage while coasting or decelerating. When you take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to slow down, the torque
converter clutch locks up and aggressively shuts off fuel flow to the
engine while decelerating. This fuel economy benefit may be perceived
as a light to medium braking sensation when removing your foot from
the accelerator pedal.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop.
2. Move the gearshift lever and
securely latch it in P (Park).
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
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N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Drive) with Overdrive
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
D (Drive) with Grade Assist
Pressing the transmission control
switch on the side of the gearshift
lever activates grade assist and
cancels overdrive.
•Provides additional grade
(engine) braking and extends
lower gear operation on uphill
climbs for hilly terrain or
mountainous areas.
•Provides additional engine
braking through the automatic
transmission shift strategy which
reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle
acceleration, accelerator pedal,
brake pedal and vehicle speed).
•Allows the transmission to select
gears that will provide the desired engine braking based on the vehicle
inputs mentioned above. This will increase engine RPM during engine
braking.
•The grade assist lamp in the
instrument cluster is illuminated.
Grade assist is designed to aid the
driver with optimal gear selection in
hilly terrain or mountainous areas
but is not intended for normal operation. It is recommended that you
return to O/D (overdrive mode) on flat terrain to provide the best fuel
economy and transmission function.
To return to normal D (Drive) position (with O/D), press the
transmission control switch again.
•The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
•The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
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Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use the
clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will severely reduce the life of the clutch and
could nullify a clutch warranty claim.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:
Upshifts during light to moderate accelerations and cruises (for
best fuel economy)
Shift from:
1-2 10 mph (16 km/h)
2-3 20 mph (32 km/h)
3-4 30 mph (48 km/h)
4-5 37 mph (60 km/h)
Reverse
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift
into R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
1. Hold the clutch pedal down and
move the gearshift lever into
the neutral position.
2. From the neutral position, move
the gearshift lever all the way to
the right, then move it down
into the R (Reverse) position.
Note:The gearshift lever can only
be moved into R (Reverse) by moving it from left of 3 (Third) and 4
(Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse). This is a lockout feature that
protects the transmission from accidentally being shifted into R
(Reverse) from 5 (Fifth).
If R (Reverse) is not fully engaged, press the clutch pedal down and
return the gearshift to the neutral position. Release the clutch pedal for
a moment, then press it down and shift to R (Reverse) again.
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.
2. Fully apply the parking brake, hold the clutch pedal down, then shift
into 1 (First).
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HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL
The hazard flasher is located on the
steering column, just behind the
steering wheel. The hazard flashers
will operate when the ignition is in
any position or if the key is not in
the ignition.
Press the flasher control and all
front and rear direction signals will
flash. Press the flasher control again
to turn them off. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a
safety hazard for other motorists.
Note:With extended use, the flasher may run down your battery.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
This device stops the electric fuel pump from sending fuel to the engine
when your vehicle has had a substantial jolt.
After an accident, if the engine cranks but does not start, this switch
may have been activated.
Roadside Emergencies
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