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Continued
317
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, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 319
•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 front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can interfere 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 all doors and the trunk.
2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 148
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 180
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 182
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 177
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 176
■
Interior Checks
1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk have the aiming readjusted
at a dealer or by a qualified technician.
Page 323 of 545

322Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
u The electric parking brake indicator
comes on for 15 seconds when you pull
up the electric parking brake switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
u Make sure the transmission is in
(P
.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1 When Driving
When you set the power mode to ON, you may feel
as if the brake pedal is sinking down. This is normal.1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start 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 defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
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 changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
If 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.
Models with electronic gear selector
Electric Parking
Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
Page 324 of 545
Continued
323
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
u The electric parking brake indicator
comes on for 15 seconds when you pull
up the electric parking brake switch.
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
.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1 Starting the Engine
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly coded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 155
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the battery in the keyless
access remote is weak. 2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 496
Models with shift lever
Electric Parking
Brake SwitchBrake Pedal
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Continued
327
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1. While depressing the brake pedal, press the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. Change the gear position to
(D
. Select
(R
when reversing.
3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal.
u Make sure the electric parking brake indicator goes off.
4. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
■
Starting to Drive
1Starting to Drive
You can also release the parking brake by pressing
the electric parking brake switch while depressing the
brake pedal.
When facing downhill, you can start your vehicle
more smoothly by manually releasing it with the
electric parking brake switch than by releasing it with
the accelerator pedal.
The engine stops when the gear position is changed
from
(P before the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.
When the engine was sta rted using the two-way
keyless access remote
*
When the engine was started using the two-way keyless access remote
*
When the engine was started in any case* Not available on all models
Page 329 of 545
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
328Driving
■Hill Start Assist System
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Change the gear position to
(D
when facing uphill, or
(R
when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
1 Hill Start Assist System
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep 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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329
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Continued
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.■
In Rain
1Precautions While DrivingNOTICEDo not change the gear position while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.NOTICEThe following can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block•Parallel parking along the road shoulder•Driving toward 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.NOTICEIf you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Page 331 of 545

uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
*
330Driving
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
*
The engine runs at a 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 gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.Dual Clutch Transmission
*
As with a conventional automatic transmission, this vehicle will creep.
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 gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.■
Other Precautions
■
Creeping
■
Kickdown
■
Creeping
■
Kickdown
1Precautions While Driving
Do not change the gear position to
(N, as you will
lose engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
* Not available on all models
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331
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the gear position in accordance with your driving needs.■Shift button positions■
(P
(park) button
Park your vehicle in a safe place with the
power mode in ON, then apply the brakes and
press the
(P
button to put the transmission in
Park.
The indicators on the sides of the
(P
button
come on.
Models with electronic gear selector
1 Shifting
To prevent malfunction and unintended
engagement:•Do not spill any liquids on or around shift buttons.•Do not place or drop any objects on or around shift
buttons.•Do not let passengers or children operate the shift
buttons.
The beeper sounds when you depress the accelerator
pedal with the gear position in
( N.
Change the gear position to
( D or
(R with the brake
pedal depressed.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures
(−22°F/−30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you
are in the correct gear before driving.
3
WARNING
The vehicle can roll away if left unattended
without confirming that Park is engaged.
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal
until you have confirmed that
( P is shown
on the gear position Indicator.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:●Normal driving (gears change between 1st
and 9th automatically)●Temporarily driving in the sequential
mode●Driving in the sequential mode (when
driving in Sport+ mode)
( P Button