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uuWhen Driving uShifting
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Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever be fore the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position befo re pulling away.
If the transmission indicator blinks when driving, in
any shift position, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tac hometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position
Indicator
Models with information displayModels with multi-information display
Depress the brake pedal and press the
shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressi ng the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Fully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then
slowly release the pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal, and pause fo r a few seconds before shifting into
(R, or
shift into one of the forward gears for a mo ment. This stops the gears so they do not
“grind.”
■Shift Lever Operation
Manual transmission models
1 Shifting
NOTICE
Do not shift to (R before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop.
Shifting to
( R before stopping can damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
Before downshifting, make sure the engine will not
go into the tachometer's red zone. Should this occur,
it can severely da mage your engine.
There is a metallic part on the shift lever. If you leave
the vehicle parked outside for a long time on a hot
day, be careful before movi ng the shift lever. Because
of heat, the shift lever may be extremely hot. If the
outside temperature is low, the shift lever may feel
cold.
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
442
Driving
When you are not shifting, do not rest your
foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your
clutch to wear out faster. 1Shifting
Recommended Shift Points
Driving in the highest gear that allows the engine to
run and accelerate smoothly helps to optimize fuel
economy and effective emissions control. The
following shift points are recommended:
If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear you
are in, the engine speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. When this happens, you may
experience a slight jolt. Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd17 mph (27 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 29 mph (46 km/h)
3rd to 4th37 mph (60 km/h)
4th to 5th 43 mph (69 km/h)
5th to 6th49 mph (79 km/h)
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
The manual transmission has a lockout mech anism that stops you from accidentally
shifting into
(R from a forward gear while the ve hicle is moving above a certain
speed.
If you cannot shift to
(R when the vehicle is stopped, do the following: 1.Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift
lever all the way to the left, and shift to
(R.
2. If you still cannot shift into
(R, apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch
to ACCESSORY
(q or LOCK (0*1.
3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
(R.
4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.
■Reverse Lockout
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uuWhen Driving uECON Button
Driving
ECON Button
The ECON button turns the ECON mode on and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel economy by adjusting the
performance of the engine, transmission, heating and cooling system
*/climate
control system*, and cruise control.
*
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uCruise Control*
Continued
Driving
Cruise Control*
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise con trol on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little ac celeration or deceleration.1Cruise Control*
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
While in the ECON mode, it may take relatively more
time to accelerate to maintain the set speed.
When the engine speed slows down, try to
downshift.
You can maintain the set sp eed if you change gear
within five seconds.
3WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
Manual transmission models
When to use
■Shift positions for cruise control:
In ( D or (S Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
Automatic transmission/CVT models
■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
How to useCRUISE MAIN
is on in the
instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.■Press the CRUISE button on
the steering wheel.
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
Driving
Take your foot off the pedal and press the –/SET button when you reach the desired
speed.
The moment you release the –/SET button,
the set speed is fixed, and adaptive cruise
control begins. u A vehicle icon and distance bars appear
on the multi-info rmation display.
■To Set the Vehicle Speed1Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
Do not use ACC under these conditions:•In poor visibility.
•In heavy traffic.
•When you must slow down and speed up
repeatedly.
•On winding roads.
•When you enter a toll gate, interchange, service
area, parking area, etc. In these areas, there is no
vehicle ahead of you, but ACC would still try to
accelerate to your set speed.
•In bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
•On a slippery road (for example a road covered
with ice or snow).
•When a spare tire is installed.
•When going down a steep hill where the engine
braking does not work sufficiently.
When not using adaptive cr uise control: Turn off
adaptive cruise by pressing the MAIN button.
1To Set the Vehicle Speed
You can switch the displayed set speed
measurements on the mult i-information display
between mph and km/h. 2 Customized Features P. 97, 298
On when adaptive
cruise control
begins
Press and release–/SET Button
Set Vehicle
Speed
Set Vehicle
Distance
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and select ively applying the brakes.
When VSA ® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System
Indicator