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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 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
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
182
Driving
■Creep aid system
With the shift lever in
(D or (N, this feature applies brake pressure briefly as you
release the brake pedal to prevent th e vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your fo ot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Depress the clutch pedal, and shift to
(1 when facing uphill, or (R when facing
downhill, then release the brake pedal.
Move the shift lever to
(D when facing uphill, or (R when facing downhill, then
release the brake pedal.
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Manual transmission models
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very st eep or slippery slope, and
does not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
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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
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185
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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Continued187
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 7th speeds without removing
your hands from the steering wheel. The transmission switches to the 7-speed
manual shift mode when you pull a paddle shifter while driving. This mode is useful
when engine braking is needed.
You can cancel this mode by pressing any of the three driving mode buttons, or
pulling the
(+ paddle shifter for a few seconds.
■When the driving mode is in ECON or NORMAL
The shift mode goes into the 7-speed ma nual shift mode temporarily, and the
number is displayed in the shift indicator.
The 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled automatically if you drive at constant
speed or accelerate, and the number in the shift indicator goes off.
The 7-speed manual shift mode is especial ly useful when reducing the vehicle speed
temporarily before making a turn.
■When the driving mode is in SPORT
The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode. The M indicator and the
speed number are displayed in the shift indicator. As the vehicle speed slows down,
the transmission automatically shifts down accordingly. When the vehicle comes to
a stop, it automatically shifts down into 1st.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engi ne speed reaches near the tachometer’s
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up.
■7-Speed Manual Shift Mode1 7-Speed Manual Shift Mode
To improve fuel economy, the transmission may shift
up to a higher speed than the seventh under certain
circumstances. In this case, the number in the shift
indicator remains as 7.
In the 7-speed manual shif t mode, the transmission
shifts up or down by opera ting either paddle shifter
under the following conditions:
Shift Up: The engine sp eed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher speed position.
Shift Down: The engine sp eed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower speed position.
When the engine speed reaches near the
tachometer’s red zone, the transmission shifts up
automatically.
When the engine speed reaches the lowest threshold
of the selected speed positi on, the transmission shifts
down automatically.
Operating the paddle shifte rs on slippery surfaces
may cause the tires to lock up. In this case, the 7-
speed manual shift mode is canceled and goes back
to the normal D driving mode.
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193
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
Continued
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
To help maximize fuel economy, Auto Id le Stop shuts off the engine when the
vehicle comes to a stop, depending on environmental and vehicle operating
conditions. The AUTO STOP indicator blinks at this time.
The engine then restarts once the vehicle is
about to move again, and the indicator goes
off.
If the driver’s door is opened while the
indicator is blinking, a buzzer sounds to notify
you that the Auto Idle Stop function is in
operation.
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
1Auto Idle Stop
The duration of the Au to Idle Stop operation:
•Increases in the ECON mode, compared to normal
or sport mode, with climate control in use.
•Decreases if you operate the wipers and climate
control simultaneously.
AUTO STOP
Indicator
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196
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
To help maximize fuel econ omy, the engine automatica lly stops when the vehicle
comes to a stop, depending on environmental and vehicle operating conditions. The
AUTO STOP indicator blinks at this time. The engine then restarts once the vehicle
is about to move again when you depress the clutch pedal fully, and the indicator
goes off. If the driver’s door is opened while the
indicator is blinking, a buzzer sounds to notify
you that the Auto Idle Stop function is in
operation.
Manual transmission models
1Auto Idle Stop
If the Auto Idle Stop ope rating time lasts long enough
to lower the 12 volt battery charge or the IMA battery
charge, the engine may not restart automatically.
Manually turn off the engine when you leave your
vehicle.
The duration of Auto Idle Stop operation:
•Increases in the ECON mode, compared to normal
or sport mode, with climate control in use.
•Decreases if you operate the wipers and climate
control simultaneously.
AUTO STOP
Indicator