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•Fuel Econ On – turns on a fuel economy upshift light
in the instrument cluster, for optimum fuel economy,
when operating in base driving mode.
•Fuel Econ Off – the fuel economy upshift light is
disabled.
To set the required unit, proceed as follows:
1. Briefly press theSET ESCbutton to display the two
sub-menus.
2. Press the UPor DOWNbutton to navigate
the two sub-menus.
3. Select the required sub-menu and then briefly press
theSET ESCbutton.
4. Press the UPor DOWNbutton for setting.
5. Briefly press theSET ESCbutton to return to the
sub-menu.
When you have made the required settings, briefly press
theSET ESCbutton to go back to the sub-menu screen,
or press and hold theSET ESCbutton (approximately
one second) to go back to the main screen without storing
the settings.
Hill Start Assist
This function is used when starting a vehicle from a stop
on a hill. Hill Start Assist maintains the same level of
brake pressure the driver applied for a short period of
time after the foot has been removed from the brake
pedal.
Proceed as follows to switch this function on or off:
1. Briefly press theSET ESCbutton. “On” or “Off” will
flash on the display (according to previous setting).
2. Press the UPor DOWNbutton for setting.
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Turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START) position and
release it when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized studio.
The message “plug in engine heater” will be displayed in the
instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is below
5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a reminder
to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold start.
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-30 oil and adher-
ing to the prescribed oil change intervals is important
to prevent engine damage and ensure satisfactory
starting in cold conditions.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
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when the ignition is in the OFF position, and once
removed, the shift lever is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To move the shift lever out
of PARK, the ignition switch must be turned to the
ON/RUN position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. You must
press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of PARK
(Refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in
this section). To drive, move the shift lever from PARK or
NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Shift Lever
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Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick® shift positions. Manual
shifts can be made using the AutoStick® shift control
(refer to “AutoStick®” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information). Moving the shift lever forward or
rearward (–/+) while in the AutoStick® position (beside
the DRIVE position) will manually select the transmis-
sion gear, and will display the current gear in the
instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift
lever in PARK first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
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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
operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized studio at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized studio has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized studio
service is required.
AUTOSTICK® — IF EQUIPPED
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing manual shift control, giving you more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick® allows you to maximize en-
gine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and down-
shifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. 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 (beside the
Drive position), it can be moved forward and rearward. This
allows the driver to manually select the transmission gear
being used. Moving the shift lever forward (-) triggers a
downshift, and rearward (+) an upshift. The current gear
will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
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PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave manual
transmission in REVERSE or first gear.
The parking brake lever is located in the center console.
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up
slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, the Brake
Warning Light in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
Parking Brake
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CAUTION!
If the Brake Warning Light remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction
is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized studio immediately.
SPORT MODE
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
The Sport mode increases steering feedback to the driver
with slight increases in effort and throttle pedal-to-engine
response. This driving mode is useful while driving on
twisty roads where more steering precision is desired in
spirited cornering.
1. To activate the Sport mode, press the SPORT button.
Once activated, a SPORT message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster.
2. Momentarily release the accelerator pedal.
3. Press the accelerator pedal again to activate.
SPORT Button
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Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
The Sport mode increases steering feedback to the driver
with slight increase in effort and changes the transmis-
sion shift schedules for more aggressive shifting. This
driving mode is useful while driving on twisty roads
where more steering precision is desired in spirited
cornering.
1. To activate the Sport mode, press the SPORT button.
Once activated, a SPORT message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster.
2. Press the SPORT button again to return to the standard
driving mode.
SPORT Button
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