CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever outof PARK, you must turn the igni-
tion switch from the LOCK/OFF
position to the ON/RUN position,
and also press the brake pedal.
Otherwise, damage to the shift le-
ver could result.
DO NOT race the engine when
shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL
into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be
used to ensure that you have engaged
the shift lever into the PARK position:
When shifting into PARK, move the shift lever all the way forward and
to the left until it stops and is fully
seated.
Look at the shift lever position dis- play and verify that it indicates the
PARK position.
With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever will not move out
of PARK. REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle
backward. Shift into REVERSE only
after the vehicle has come to a com-
plete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when vehicle is stand-
ing for prolonged periods with engine
running. The engine may be started in
this range. Set the parking brake and
shift the transmission into PARK if
you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and
never turn off the ignition to coast
down a hill. These are unsafe prac-
tices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions.
You might lose control of the vehicle
and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or
driving for any other reason with the
transmission in NEUTRAL can re-
sult in severe transmission damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” and
“Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in
What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most
city and highway driving. It provides
the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The
transmission automatically upshifts
through underdrive first, second,
third, and fourth gears, direct fifth
gear and overdrive sixth gear. The
DRIVE position provides optimum
driving characteristics under all nor-
mal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting
occurs (such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into
strong head winds, or while towing
heavy trailers), use the AutoStick®
139
mode (refer to “AutoStick®” in
“Starting And Operating” for further
information) to select a lower gear.
Under these conditions, using a lower
gear will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmis-
sion operation may be modified de-
pending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed.
This feature improves warm up time
of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engage-
ment of the torque converter clutch is
inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this
section). During extremely cold tem-
peratures (27°C or below), operation
may briefly be limited to third gear
only. Normal operation will resume
once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored
electronically for abnormal condi-
tions. If a condition is detected that
could result in transmission damage,Transmission Limp Home Mode is ac-
tivated. In this mode, the transmis-
sion remains in third gear regardless
of which forward gear is selected.
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL
will continue to operate. The Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) may
be illuminated. Limp Home Mode al-
lows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem,
the transmission can be reset to regain
all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If
the problem is no longer detected, the
transmission will return to normal op-
eration.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be
reset, we recommend that you visit
an authorized dealer at your earli-
est possible convenience. Your au-
thorized dealer has diagnostic
equipment to determine if the
problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset,
authorized dealer service is required.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes
an electronically controlled Overdrive
(sixth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into the Overdrive
gear if the following conditions are
present:
the shift lever is in the DRIVE po-
sition,
the transmission fluid has reached an adequate temperature,
the engine coolant has reached an adequate temperature,
vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
140
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel
economy has been included in the au-
tomatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter
engages automatically at calibrated
speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during
normal operation in the upper gears.
When the vehicle speed drops or dur-
ing some accelerations, the clutch au-
tomatically disengages.
NOTE:
The torque converter clutch will
not engage until the transmission
fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 2 to 5 km of driving].
Because the engine speed is higher
when the torque converter clutch
is not engaged, it may seem as if the
transmission is not shifting into
Overdrive when cold. This is nor-
mal. Using the AutoStick® feature,
when the transmission is suffi-
ciently warm, will demonstrate
that the transmission is able to
shift into and out of Overdrive.AUTOSTICK®
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive
feature providing manual shift con-
trol, giving you more control of the
vehicle. AutoStick® allows you to
maximize engine braking, eliminate
undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle perfor-
mance. This system can also provide
you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, and many other
situations.
OPERATION
When the shift lever is in the
AutoStick® position (below the
DRIVE position), it can be moved
from side to side. This allows the
driver to manually select the trans-
mission gear being used. Moving the
shift lever to the left (-) triggers a
downshift and to the right (+) an up-
shift. The gear position will display in
the instrument cluster on the trans-
mission range indicator.
NOTE:
In AutoStick® mode, the transmis-
sion will only shift up or down
when the driver moves the shift
lever to the right (+) or left (-), or as
described below.
AutoStick® is deactivated when the
shift lever is moved from the
AutoStick (+/-) position into the
DRIVE position.
GENERAL INFORMATION
You can start out, from a stop, in
any gear except sixth. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at
too low of a vehicle speed.
If a ratio other than first gear is selected, and the vehicle is brought
to a stop, the transmission control
logic will automatically select the
first gear ratio.
Starting out in second gear is help- ful in snowy or icy conditions. To
select second gear after the vehicle
is brought to a stop, tap the shift
lever to the right (+) once.
Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is engaged.
141
The transmission will automati-cally shift up when maximum en-
gine speed is reached while
AutoStick® is engaged.
Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick® is en-
gaged.
If a downshift would cause the en- gine to overspeed, that shift will not
occur until it is safe for the engine.
If the system detects powertrain overheating, the transmission will
revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the
powertrain cools off.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY
SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered,
wet, or other slippery surfaces may
cause the driving wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenom-
enon occurs when there is a difference
in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery sur-
faces is dangerous. Unequal traction
can cause sudden pulling of the front
wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have a collision.
Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor
traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose
sand, etc.).
TRACTION
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
it is possible for a wedge of water to
build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and
may cause partial or complete loss of
vehicle control and stopping ability.
To reduce this possibility, the follow-
ing precautions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or
when the roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing
water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear
indicators first become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated. 5. Maintain sufficient distance be-
tween your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH
WATER
Driving through water more than a
few centimeters deep will require ex-
tra caution to ensure safety and pre-
vent damage to your vehicle.
FLOWING/RISING WATER
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or
path where water is flowing and/or
rising (as in storm run-off). Flowing
water can wear away the road or
path's surface and cause your
ve-
hicle to sink into deeper water. Fur-
thermore, flowing and/or rising wa-
ter can carry your vehicle away
swiftly. Failure to follow this warn-
ing may result in injuries that are
serious or fatal to you, your passen-
gers, and others around you.
142
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 ENGINE OIL OVERHEATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
TIREFIT KIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 TIREFIT STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
TIREFIT KIT COMPONENTS ANDOPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
TIREFIT USAGE PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . 168
SEALING A TIRE WITH TIREFIT . . . . . . . . . 169
JUMP-STARTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 PREPARATIONS FOR JUMP-START . . . . . . . 173
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . 173
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE . . . . . . . . . . . 176 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY . . . . . . . . . . . 177
165
PREPARATIONS FOR
JUMP-START
The battery in your vehicle is located
between the left front headlight as-
sembly and the left front wheel splash
shield. To allow jump-starting there
are remote battery posts located on
the left side of the engine compart-
ment.WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiatorcooling fan whenever the hood is
raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be
injured by moving fan blades.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Remove any metal jewelry such as
watch bands or bracelets that
might make an inadvertent elec-
trical contact. You could be seri-
ously injured.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid
that can burn your skin or eyes
and generate hydrogen gas which
is flammable and explosive. Keep
open flames or sparks away from
the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the
automatic transmission into PARK
and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all
unnecessary electrical accessories.
3. Remove the protective cover over
the remote positive (+)battery post.
To remove the cover, press the locking
tab and pull upward on the cover. 4. If using another vehicle to jump-
start the battery, park the vehicle
within the jumper cables reach, set
the parking brake and make sure the
ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each
other as this could establish a
ground connection and personal in-
jury could result.
JUMP-STARTING
PROCEDUREWARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure
could result in personal injury or
property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.
Remote Battery Posts
1 — Remote Positive (+) Post (cov-
ered with protective cap)
2 — Remote Negative (-) Post
Locking Tab
173
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing ConditionWheels OFF the Ground Automatic Transmissions
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
Transmission inNEUTRAL
40 km/hmax speed
24 km maxdistance
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow Rear
Front OK
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is
required to prevent damage to your
vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose,
following equipment manufacturer’s
instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other
towing device to main structural
members of the vehicle, not to bum-
pers or associated brackets. State and
local laws applying to vehicles under
tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wip-
ers, defrosters, etc.) while being
towed, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN position, not the ACC posi-
tion.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing. Damage to the fas-
cia will occur.
When securing the vehicle to a
flatbed truck, do not attach to
front or rear suspension compo-
nents. Damage to your vehicle
may result from improper towing.
Do not push or tow this vehicle
with another vehicle as damage to
the bumper fascia and transmis-
sion may result.
If the vehicle being towed requires
steering, the ignition switch must
be in the ON position, not the
LOCK or ACC positions. AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
The manufacturer recommends tow-
ing your vehicle with all four wheels
OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available,
and the transmission is operable, the
vehicle may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) under the
following conditions:
The shift lever must be in NEU-
TRAL.
The towing distance must not ex- ceed 24 km.
The towing speed must not exceed 40 km/h.
176
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L . . . . . . . . . . . 181
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . . . 182
REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 ENGINE OIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
ENGINE OIL FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
ENGINE AIR CLEANER FILTER . . . . . . . . . . 184
MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY . . . . . . . . . 185
AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . 186
A/C AIR FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
BODY LUBRICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES . . . . . . . . . . . 188
ADDING WASHER FLUID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
EXHAUST SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
COOLING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
BRAKE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
APPEARANCE CARE AND PROTECTIONFROM CORROSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
CLEANING CENTER CONSOLE CUPHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
179