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uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, sto pping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 177
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor mats.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can in terfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock both doors and the hatch.
2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 102
•Adjust your seating position properly.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 122
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wh eel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 120
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 119
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. Howeve r, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area, have the aiming
readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified technician.
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180
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in (P.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear de fogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be charged to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Cons ult a dealer for details.
Brake PedalAutomatic transmission (CVT) models
Clutch Pedal
Brake PedalManual transmission models
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0 and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
( P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pe dal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
The engine may cut in and out in
( R or depending on
the road condition, even when the engine speed is
lower than the tachometer’s red zone. This is the
engine’s computer wo rking to protect the
transmission.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used:
●For normal driving●When temporarily driving in the 7-speed
manual shift mode (when driving in ECON
or NORMAL mode)
●For driving in the 7-speed manual shift
mode (when driving in SPORT mode)
●For driving in L mode
Release Button
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
186
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.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
( D indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
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 ta chometer 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 pressed.
Depress the brake pedal first.
READY
Tachometer's
Red Zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release
button to shift.
Shift without pressing the
shift lever release button.
Press the shift lever
release button and
shift. M
(7-Speed Manual Shift Mode) Indicator/
Shift Indicator
P
R
N
D
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195
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
The brake pedal is released.
■The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed when:
• The shift position is changed to
(R.
• Shift mode set in the L mode.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed.
• The pressure to the brake pedal is redu ced and the vehicle starts moving while
stopped on an incline.
• The IMA battery charge becomes low.
• The low temperature indicator comes on.
• The climate control system is in use, and the difference between the set
temperature and actual interior temperature becomes significant.
• The climate control system is being used to dehumidify the interior.
• The pressure on the brake pedal is rep eatedly applied and released slightly.
• The (windshield defogger) button is pressed.
■The Engine Automatically Restarts When:
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uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
198
Driving
The clutch pedal is fully depressed, and the shift lever is moved to a position other
than
(N.
■The engine automatically restarts when the clutch pedal is fully depressed
even if the shift lever is in
(N when:
• The low temperature indicator comes on.
• The accelerator pedal is pressed.
• The IMA battery charge becomes low.
• The climate control system is in us e, and the difference between the set
temperature and actual interior temperature becomes significant.
• The climate control system is bein g used to dehumidify the interior.
The engine automatically restarts when the pressure on the brake pedal is
repeatedly applied and released slightly durin g a stop. This applies even if the clutch
pedal is not fully depressed.
Fully depress the clutch pedal.
u The engine automatically restarts.
■The Engine Automatically Restarts When:
■When the Auto Idle Stop Indicator Starts Blinking Rapidly1When the Auto Idle Stop Indi cator Starts Blinking Rapidly
The indicator starts blin king rapidly under the
following conditions:
•The (windshield defogger) button is pressed.•When the climate control system is in use and
moisture builds up inside the vehicle.
•When the climate control system is in use and the
difference between the se t temperature and the
actual temperature inside the vehicle becomes
significant.
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210
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.To apply:
Pull the lever fully up without pressing the
release button.
To release:
1.Pull the lever slightly, and press and hold
the release button.
2. Lower the lever down all the way, then
release the button.
■Parking Brake1Parking Brake
NOTICE
Release the parking brake fu lly before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parki ng brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE appears on the multi-information
display.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.
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uuBraking uBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases
the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
2 Brake Assist System P. 213
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 212
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous me tallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have your vehi cle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pe dal and downshifting to a
lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greate r engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also conf use drivers behind you.