
Driving your vehicle
4
5
Before entering vehicle
• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-
ror(s), and outside lights are clean.
Check the condition of the tyres.
Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up. Necessary inspections
Fluid levels, such as engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid
should be checked on a regular basis,
with the exact interval depending on the
fluid. Further details are provided in
Section 7, “Maintenance”.
Before starting
Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all controls are
easily reached.
Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors.
Be sure that all lights work.
Check all gauges.
Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
Release the parking brake and make sure the brake warning light goes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are famil-
iar with your vehicle and its equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING
All passengers must be properly
belted whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing. Refer to “Seat belts” in section
3 for more information on their
proper use.
WARNING
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for people,
especially children, before putting a
vehicle into “Drive” or “Reverse”.
WARNING
Driving whilst distracted can result
in a loss of vehicle control, that
may lead to an accident, severe
personal injury, and death. The dri-
ver’s primary responsibility is in
the safe and legal operation of a
vehicle, and use of any handheld
devices, other equipment, or vehi-
cle systems which take the driver’s
eyes, attention and focus away
from the safe operation of a vehicle
or which are not permissible by law
should never be used during oper-
ation of the vehicle.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 4

Driving your vehicle
6
5
Ignition switch position
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position and turn the key towardthe LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.
✽✽
NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced turning the
ignition switch to the ACC position, turnthe key whilst turning the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension.
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is the
normal running position after the engine
is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the engine is not running to prevent battery discharge.
START
Turn the ignition key to the START posi-
tion to start the engine. The engine will
crank until you release the key; then it
returns to the ON position. The brake
warning lamp can be checked in thisposition.
WARNING - Ignition key
Never turn the ignition switch to LOCK or ACC whilst the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause anaccident.
The anti-theft steering column lock is not a substitute for the parking
brake. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always make sure the shift
lever is engaged in 1 st
gear for the
manual transaxle or P (Park) for
the automatic transaxle, set the
parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sud-
den vehicle movement may occurif these precautions are not taken.
Never reach for the ignition switch, or any other controls through the
steering wheel whilst the vehicle is
in motion. The presence of yourhand or arm in this area could
cause a loss of vehicle control, an
accident and serious bodily injuryor death.
Do not place any movable objects around the driver’s seat as they
may move whilst driving, interferewith the driver and lead to an acci-dent.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 6

Driving your vehicle
8
5
Starting the diesel engine
(if equipped)
To start the diesel engine when the engine is cold, it has to be pre-heated
before starting the engine and then have
to be warmed up before starting to drive.
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the
clutch pedal fully and shift the
transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch
pedal and brake pedal depressed
whilst turning the ignition switch to the
start position.
Automatic Transaxle - Place the
transaxle shift lever in P(park).
Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when the
shift lever is in the N(neutral) position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON posi- tion to pre-heat the engine. Then the
glow indicator light will illuminate.
4. If the glow indicator light goes out, turn the ignition switch to the START posi-tion and hold it there until the engine
starts (a maximum of 10 seconds),
then release the key.
✽✽
NOTICE
If the engine were not started within 10
seconds after the preheating is complet-
ed, turn the ignition key once more tothe LOCK position during 10 seconds,
and then to the ON position, in order to
preheat again.
Starting and stopping the engine for tur-
bocharger intercooler
1. Do not race or accelerate the engine immediately after starting.
If the engine is cold, idle for several
seconds before sufficient lubrication isensured in the turbocharger unit.
2. After high speed or extended driving, requiring a heavy engine load, idle the
engine about 1 minute before turning it
off.
This idle time will allow the tur-bocharger to cool prior to shutting the
engine off.
W-60
Glow indicator light
CAUTION
Do not turn the engine off immedi-
ately after it has been subjected toa heavy load. Doing so may cause severe damage to the engine orturbo charger unit.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 8

515
Driving your vehicle
Manual transaxle operation
The manual transaxle has 6 forward
gears.
This shift pattern is imprinted on the shift
knob. The transaxle is fully synchronized
in all forward gears so shifting to either a
higher or a lower gear is easily accom-plished.
Press the clutch pedal down fully whilst
shifting, then release it slowly.
If your vehicle is equipped with an igni-
tion lock system, the engine will not start
when starting the engine without
depressing the clutch pedal. (if equipped)
The gearshift lever must be returned to
the neutral position before shifting into R
(Reverse). The ring located immediately
below the shift knob must be pulled
upward whilst moving the shift lever tothe R position.
Make sure the vehicle is completelystopped before shifting into R (Reverse).
Never operate the engine with thetachometer (rpm) in the red zone. During cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the transaxle lubricant has
warmed up. This is normal and not
harmful to the transaxle.
If you've come to a complete stop and it's hard to shift into 1st or R (Reverse),
put the shift lever in N (Neutral) posi-
tion and release the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down, and then shift
into 1st or R (Reverse) gear position.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
OEL059009
The ring (1) must be pulled up whilst
moving the shift lever.
The shift lever can be moved without
pulling the ring (1).
CAUTION
When downshifting from fifth
gear to fourth gear, caution
should be taken not to inadver- tently press the gear shift leversideways in such a manner thatsecond gear is engaged. Such a
drastic downshift may cause theengine speed to increase to the point that the tachometer will
enter the red-zone. Such over-revving of the engine may possi- bly cause engine damage.
Do not downshift more than 2 gears or downshift the gear when
the engine is running at high speed (5,000 RPM or higher).Such a downshifting may damage
the engine.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 15

Driving your vehicle
16
5
Using the clutch
The clutch should be pressed all the way
to the floor before shifting, then released
slowly. The clutch pedal should always be
fully released whilst driving. Do not rest
your foot on the clutch pedal whilst driv-
ing. This can cause unnecessary wear.
Do not partially engage the clutch to hold
the vehicle on an incline. This causes
unnecessary wear. Use the foot brake or
parking brake to hold the vehicle on an
incline. Do not operate the clutch pedal
rapidly and repeatedly.CAUTION
To avoid premature clutch wear
and damage, do not drive with
your foot resting on the clutch pedal. Also, don’t use the clutchto hold the vehicle stopped on anuphill grade, whilst waiting for a
traffic light, etc.
Do not use the shift lever as a handrest during driving, as thiscan result in premature wear of
the transaxle shift forks.
When operating the clutch pedal, press the clutch pedal down fully.If you don’t press the clutch pedal
fully, the clutch may be damagedor noise may occur.
To prevent possible damage to the clutch system, do not startwith the 2nd (second) gear
engaged except when you start on a alippery road.WARNING
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off. Thenmake sure the transaxle is shifted
into 1st gear when the vehicle is
parked on a level or uphill grade,
and shifted into R (Reverse) on a
downhill grade. Unexpected and
sudden vehicle movement canoccur if these precautions are not
followed in the order identified.
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle not equipped with a
ignition lock switch, it may moveand cause a serious accident
when starting the engine without
depressing the clutch pedalwhilst the parking brake is
released and the shift lever not inthe N(Neutral) position.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 16

Driving your vehicle
18
5
Automatic transaxle operation
The highly efficient automatic transaxle
has 6 forward speeds and one reverse
speed. The individual speeds are select-
ed automatically, depending on the posi-
tion of the shift lever.
✽✽
NOTICE
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if the battery has been disconnected, may
be somewhat abrupt. This is a normalcondition, and the shifting sequence will
adjust after shifts are cycled a few times
by the TCM (Transaxle Control
Module) or PCM (Powertrain ControlModule).
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
OEL059010R
The shift lever can be moved freely.
Depress the brake pedal when shifting, if your vehicle is equipped shift lock system.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 18

519
Driving your vehicle
For smooth operation, depress the brakepedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to aforward or reverse gear.Transaxle ranges
The indicator lights in the instrument
cluster displays the shift lever position
when the ignition switch is in the ONposition.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P (Park). This position locks
the transaxle and prevents the frontwheels from rotating.
WARNING - Automatic
transaxle
Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for peo-
ple, especially children, before
shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or
R (Reverse).
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position; then
set the parking brake fully and
shut the engine off. Unexpected
and sudden vehicle movementcan occur if these precautions
are not followed in the order iden-tified.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your
transaxle, do not accelerate the
engine in R (Reverse) or any for-ward gear position with thebrakes on.
When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationarywith engine power. Use the serv- ice brake or the parking brake.
Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R
(Reverse) when the engine isabove idle speed.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 19

Driving your vehicle
20
5
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward. N (Neutral)
The wheels and transaxle are not
engaged. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or service brakes are applied. D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a 6-gear sequence, providing the
best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the
transaxle will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.
✽✽
NOTICE
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) whilst the vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
and set the parking brake fully.
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
CAUTION
The transaxle may be damaged if
you shift into P (Park) whilst the
vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stopbefore shifting into or out of R
(Reverse); you may damage thetransaxle if you shift into R (Reverse) whilst the vehicle is inmotion, except as explained in
“Rocking the vehicle”, in this manu-al.
EL(FL) Aust 5.QXP 7/26/2013 2:08 PM Page 20