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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................326
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......326
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....327
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .327
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................328
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................328
▫ After Starting ....................... .328
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .329
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .329 ▫
Five-Speed Manual Transmission ...........329
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............331
▫ Downshifting ....................... .332
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .332
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............334
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .334
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .334
▫ Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission
(CVT) — If Equipped ...................342
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TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....403
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS) ...................... .404
▫ Base System ........................ .407
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........409
▫ General Information ...................413
FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................414
▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine ...................414
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................414
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............415
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......415
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................416
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................416 ▫
Fuel System Cautions ...................417
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............418
ADDING FUEL ....................... .418
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............418
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............420
VEHICLE LOADING ....................421
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............421
TRAILER TOWING .....................423
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............423
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............426
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ........................... .427
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............428
324 STARTING AND OPERATING
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re-
move the Key Fob from the ignition. When leaving
the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift
lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
• The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
• If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is
locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve
pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the
key.
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Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Tip Start
Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to
the START position and release it as soon as the starter
engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it
will disengage automatically when the engine is running.
If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if
done improperly, so follow the procedure carefully.
Refer to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emer-
gencies” for further information.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” and “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine
for no more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the accelerator pedal and
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
328 STARTING AND OPERATING
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
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Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transmission is in first gear, (not third), when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in a gear higher than first gear.
CAUTION!
•Launching in any gear except 1st gear will result in
excessive slipping of the clutch and potentially
lugging or stalling the engine.
• Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a
gear. Be sure the transmission is in first gear, (not
third), when starting from a standing position.
Damage to the clutch can result from starting in a
gear higher than first gear.
For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, fifth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal,
and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch
pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear
on the clutch.
Shift Pattern
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Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:During cold weather, until the transmission lu-
bricant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift
efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transmis-
sion.Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel
economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following
table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds
Units in mph (km/h)
Engine Size Acceleration Rate1to2
2to33to4 4to5
All Engines Accel 14 (23)23 (37)29 (47) 45 (72)
Cruise 12 (19) 18 (29)25 (40) 32 (52)
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