
“R ” position or vice versa until
the vehicle has completely
stopped. Such shifting may
cause damage to the transmis-sion.
. When parking the vehicle, first
securely apply the parking brake
and then place the select lever inthe “P ” position. Avoid parking
for a long time with the select
lever in any other position as
doing so could result in a dead
battery.
NOTE . When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is still low, the automatic transmis-
sion will upshift to higher engine
speeds than when the coolant tempera-
ture is sufficiently high in order to
shorten the warm-up time and improve
driveability. The gearshift timing will
automatically shift to the normal timing
after the engine has warmed up.. Immediately after ATF (automatic
transmission fluid) is replaced, you
may feel that the automatic transmis-
sion operation is somewhat unusual.
This results from invalidation of data
which the on-board computer has
collected and stored in memory to allow the transmission to shift at the
most appropriate times for the current
condition of your vehicle. Optimized
shifting will be restored as the vehicle
continues to be driven for a while.
& Select lever
: With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while pressing the button in.
: Shift while pressing the button in.: Shift without pressing the button.
The select lever has four positions, “P ”,
“ R ”, “N ”, “D ”and also has manual gate for
using “SPORT ”mode or manual mode.
1) Select lever button
! P (Park)
This position is for parking the vehicle and
starting the engine.
In this position, the transmission is me-
chanically locked to prevent the vehicle
from rolling freely.
When you park the vehicle, first set the
parking brake fully, then shift into the “P ”
position. Do not hold the vehicle with only
the transmission.
To shift the select lever from the “P ”to any
other position, you have to depress the
brake pedal fully then push the select
lever button on the lever knob when the
ignition switch is in the “ON ”position. This
prevents the vehicle from lurching when it Starting and operating
7-13
– CONTINUED –

7-14Starting and operating
is started.
If the select lever does not move from the “P ” position with the brake pedal de-
pressed, the select lever button pushed
in, and the ignition switch in the ON
position, refer to “Shift lock function ”F 7-
14. ! R (Reverse)
This position is for backing the vehicle.
To shift from the “N ” to “R ”position, stop
the vehicle completely then move the
lever to the “R ” position while pushing
the select lever button. ! N (Neutral)
This position is for restarting a stalled engine.
In this position the wheels and transmis-
sion are not locked. In this position, the
transmission is neutral; the vehicle will roll
freely, even on the slightest incline unless
the parking brake or foot brake is applied.
Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral.
During coasting, there is no engine brak-
ing effect.
NOTE
When the ignition switch has been
turned to the “LOCK ”position, move-
ment of the select lever from the “N ” position to the
“R ” position is possible
for a limited time period by depressing
the brake pedal and then becomes
impossible. If the select lever becomes
impossible to be moved after a limited
time period, turn the ignition switch tothe “ON ”position. You will then be able
to move the select lever to the “P ”
position.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
select lever in the “N ” (Neutral)
position. Engine braking has no
effect in this condition and the risk
of an accident is consequently in-creased.
! D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.
The transmission automatically shifts into
a suitable gear from 1st to 5th according to
the vehicle speed and the acceleration
you require.
When more acceleration is required in this
position, depress the accelerator pedal
fully to the floor and hold that position. The
transmission will automatically downshift
to 4th, 3rd, 2nd or 1st gear. When you
release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
To use the SPORT mode, move the lever
from this position into the manual gate.
To use the manual mode, move the lever
from this position into the manual gate
then move it toward the
“+ ” and “ ” ends.
! While climbing a grade
When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to
4th or 5th gear is prevented from taking
place when the accelerator is released.
This minimizes the chance of subsequent
downshifting to a lower gear when accel-
erating again. This prevents repeated
upshifting and downshifting resulting in a
smoother operation of the vehicle.
NOTE
The transmission may downshift to 2nd
or 1st gear, depending on the way the
accelerator pedal is depressed to ac-
celerate the vehicle again. & Shift lock function
The shift lock function helps prevent the
improper operation of the select lever. . The select lever cannot be operated
unless the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position and the brake pedal is
depressed. . The select lever cannot be moved from

7-18Starting and operating
&SPORT mode
SPORT mode is used when power is
needed for rapid acceleration or for uphill
driving. To select this mode, move the
select lever from the “D ” position to the
manual gate.
When selected, the SPORT mode indica-
tor light on the combination meter willilluminate.
To deselect SPORT mode, move the
select lever to the “D ” position or select
manual mode. To subsequently reselect
SPORT mode, move the select lever tothe “D ” position and from there to the
manual gate.
In this mode, the transmission shifts up at
higher vehicle speeds and shifts down
more responsively than in normal mode. Power steering
CAUTION
Do not hold the steering wheel at the
fully locked position left or right for
more than 5 seconds. This may
damage the power steering pump.
The power steering system operates only
when the engine is running.
If you lose power steering assist because
the engine stops or the system fails to
function, you can steer but it will take
much more effort. NOTE
Right after the engine has been started
and before it has warmed up, you may
hear a noise coming from areas adja-
cent to the power steering pump which
is located at the right-front area of the
engine compartment. This noise is
normal. It does not indicate power
steering system trouble.

14-2Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................................... 7-20
Warning light ................................................. 3-15, 7-21
Accessories ....................................................... 5-2, 11-37
Accessory power outlet ............................................... 6-10
Active head restraint ..................................................... 1-6
Air cleaner element ................................................... 11-13
Air conditioner Automatic climate control system ............................... 4-5
Air filtration system ..................................................... 4-11
Airflow ........................................................................ 4-2
Airflow mode selection .................................................. 4-3
Airflow selection
Automatic climate control system ............................... 4-8
Alarm system ............................................................ 2-16
All-Wheel Drive warning light ....................................... 3-18
Aluminum wheel ....................................................... 11-28
Cleaning ............................................................... 10-3
Antenna system ........................................................... 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................... 7-20
Arming the system ..................................................... 2-17
Armrest ..................................................................... 1-13
AT OIL TEMP warning light ......................................... 3-13
Audio Antenna system ....................................................... 5-2
Auxiliary input jack ................................................. 5-28
Control button ........................................................ 5-26
Set......................................................................... 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass .............................. 3-37, 3-40
Automatic climate control system ................................... 4-5
Automatic transmission ............................................... 7-12 Fluid
........................................................... 11-15, 12-7
MANUAL mode ...................................................... 7-16
Oil temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP) ............. 3-13
Select lever ........................................................... 7-13
Shift lock function ................................................... 7-14
Shift lock release .................................................... 7-14
SPORT mode ........................................................ 7-18
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-18
Auxiliary input jack ...................................................... 5-28
B Battery .................................................................... 11-34
Drainage prevention function ..................................... 2-6
Jump starting ......................................................... 9-11
Replacement (remote keyless entry system) .............. 2-11
Booster seat .............................................................. 1-37
Bottle holder ............................................................... 6-9
Brake Assist .................................................................... 7-19
Booster ....................................................... 7-19, 11-19
Fluid ........................................................... 11-18, 12-7
Pad and lining ...................................................... 11-21
Parking ....................................................... 7-29, 11-21
Pedal .................................................................. 11-20
System .................................................................. 7-19
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-20
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-20
Brake system ............................................................. 7-19
Warning light .......................................................... 3-16
Braking ..................................................................... 7-19

14-6Index
SPORT mode ........................................................ 3-20
Traction control system OFF .................................... 7-25
Turn signal ............................................................ 3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF ................................ 3-18
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation ................. 3-18, 7-25
Inside mirror .............................................................. 3-37
Interior lights ............................................................... 6-2
J
Jack and jack handle .................................................. 9-19
Jack-up point ............................................................... 9-6
Jump starting. ............................................................ 9-11
K
Key ............................................................................ 2-2 Number .................................................................. 2-2
Reminder chime. ...................................................... 3-4
Replacement ........................................................... 2-4
Keyless entry system ................................................... 2-8
L
Leather seat materials ................................................ 10-5
License plate light ..................................................... 11-42
Light Back-up (Station wagon) ........................................ 11-41
Cargo area .................................................... 6-3, 11-45
Control switch ........................................................ 3-26
Dome ........................................................... 6-2, 11-43
Door step ............................................................. 11-44
Front fog ...................................................... 3-31, 11-40
Ignition switch .......................................................... 3-4 License plate
....................................................... 11-42
Map .............................................................. 6-3, 11-44
Rear combination ................................................. 11-40
Rear gate ............................................................... 6-3
Turn signal .................................................. 3-28, 11-40
Vanity mirror .................................................. 6-5, 11-44
Loading your vehicle ................................................... 8-11
Low fuel warning light .......................................... 3-8, 3-17
Low tire pressure warning light ..................................... 3-14
Lower and tether anchorage ........................................ 1-38
Lubricants .................................................................. 12-4
Lumbar support ........................................................... 1-7
M
Main fuse ................................................................ 11-36
Maintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule ............................................................... 11-3
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 1-28
Tools ..................................................................... 9-19
Malfunction indicator lamp (check engine warning light)... 3-12
Map light ........................................................... 6-3, 11-44
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-20
Meters and gauges ...................................................... 3-5
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-37
Moonroof ................................................................... 2-25
Multi function display ................................................... 3-23
N
New vehicle break-in driving ......................................... 8-2

Shopping bag hook.................................................... 6-13
Snow tires ........................................................ 8-10, 11-22
Snowy and icy roads .................................................... 8-9
Sounding a panic alarm .............................................. 2-11
Spare tire .................................................................... 9-2
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-14, 12-7
Specifications ............................................................ 12-2
Speedometer ............................................................... 3-6
SPORT mode ............................................................ 7-18
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-20
SRS Curtain airbag ........................................................ 1-60
Frontal airbag ........................................................ 1-49
Side airbag ........................................................... 1-60
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ... 5, 1-45
SRS airbag system
Monitors. ............................................................... 1-71
Servicing ............................................................... 1-72
Warning light ......................................................... 3-11
Starting the engine ....................................................... 7-7
State emission testing (U.S. only) .................................. 7-5
Steering wheel
Power ................................................................... 7-18
Tilt ....................................................................... 3-43
Stopping the engine ..................................................... 7-8
Storage compartment ................................................... 6-6
Sun shade ................................................................ 2-27
Sun visors ................................................................... 6-4
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) ... ............. 1-45
Synthetic leather upholstery ........................................ 10-5 T
Tachometer
................................................................. 3-7
Temperature gauge ...................................................... 3-9
Temperature warning light AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-13
Rear differential oil .................................................. 3-14
Temporary spare tire .................................................... 9-5
Tether (child restraint system) .............................. 1-38, 1-41
Third-row seats .......................................................... 1-13
Access to the third-row seat ..................................... 1-14
Folding down ......................................................... 1-15
Head restraint adjustment ........................................ 1-16
Tie-down hooks .......................................................... 9-15
Tilt steering wheel. ...................................................... 3-43
Tire................................................................. 11-22, 12-8
Chains .................................................................. 8-11
Inspection ............................................................ 11-23
Pressures and wear .............................................. 11-24
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-27
Rotation .............................................................. 11-27
Size and pressure .................................................. 12-8
Types .................................................................. 11-22
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ..... 7-28, 9-10, 11-22
Warning light .......................................................... 3-14
Tires and wheels ...................................................... 11-22
Tools ......................................................................... 9-19
Top tether anchorages ........................................ 1-38, 1-41
Towing ...................................................................... 9-14
All wheels on the ground ......................................... 9-17
Flat-bed truck ......................................................... 9-17
Hooks ................................................................... 9-15 Index
14-9