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73
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Low
Temperature
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w, then goes off.●Comes on when the engine
coolant temperature is low.
●If the indicator stays on after the engine
has reached normal operating
temperature, there may be a problem
with the temperature sensors. Have your
vehicle inspected by a dealer.
—
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w, then goes off.●Comes on when the passenger
side airbag system is automatically
shut off.
●It does not mean there is a problem with
your side airbags.
●Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer.
●Comes on when some one is sitting in
the seat - Have the passenger sit
properly.
High Beam
Indicator●Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.——
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada
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75
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Immobilizer
System
Indicator
●Comes on briefly when you turn
the ignition switch to ON
(w, then
goes off.
●Comes on if the immobilizer
system cannot re cognize the key
information.
●Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0, pull
the key out, and then insert the key and
turn it to ON
(w again.●Repeatedly blinks - The system may be
malfunctioning. Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer.
●Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Security System
Alarm Indicator
●Blinks when the Security System
Alarm has been set.
2 Security System Alarm P. 107—
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator●Comes on when you press the
CRUISE button.2Cruise Control P. 202—
CRUISE
CONTROL
Indicator●Comes on if you have set a speed
for cruise control.
2 Cruise Control P. 202—
Auto Idle Stop
Indicator●Blinks when Auto Idle Stop is in
operation. The engine
automatically shuts off.
2Auto Idle Stop P. 193, 196—
Indicator
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174
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressures, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 255
•Make sure there are no people or ob jects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert the key if the water
freezes in the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you've parked y our vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal.
Also check under the hood fo r leftover flammable
materials after you or so meone else has performed
maintenance on your vehicle.
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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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Continued181
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
3. Turn the ignition switch to START (e
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake and brake system indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 210
2.Put the shift lever in (D. Select (R when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
1 Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
(e for more than 15
seconds.
•If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
least 10 seconds before trying again.
•If the engine starts, but then immediately stops,
wait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly c oded device is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled 2 Immobilizer System P. 107
■Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Page 185 of 329
uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission (CVT)
184
Driving
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
The engine runs at higher idle speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower ratio, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal carefully, es pecially on slippery roads and curves.
■Other Precautions
■Creeping
■Kickdown
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Following can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block
•Parallel pa rking along the road shoulder
•Driving towards the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)
•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes
Page 187 of 329

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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192
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.
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.
■Reverse Lockout