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429
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Continued
Driving
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1. Shift to 
(P
.
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP  button.
• If the shift lever is in 
(N
, press the  ENGINE START/STOP  button.
• If the shift lever is in any gear other than 
(N
, depress the clutch pedal, then press 
the  ENGINE START/STOP  button.
1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that 
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake  P. 472
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.
■
Stopping the Engine
■
Starting to DriveAutomatic transmission/CVT modelsManual transmission modelsAutomatic transmission/CVT models 
         
        
        
     
        
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431
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or 
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
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.*1: Models with the smart entry system have an  ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an 
ignition switch.■
In Rain
■
Other Precautions
1 Precautions While DrivingNOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the 
accelerator pedal. You could damage the 
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY 
(q*1 
while driving, the engine will shut down and all 
steering and brake power assist functions will stop, 
making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in 
( 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.
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 435 of 593

uuWhen Driving uShifting
434Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen 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 before the vehicle has come 
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the 
lever position before pulling away.
If the transmission i ndicator blinks when driving, in 
any shift position, there is a problem with the 
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tachometer's red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this  happens, 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 held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
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. Tachometer’s red zone 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 437 of 593

uuWhen Driving uShifting
436Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen 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 before the vehicle has come 
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the 
lever position before pulling away.
If the transmission i ndicator blinks when driving, in 
any shift position, there is a problem with the 
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tachometer's red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this  happens, 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 held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
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. Tachometer’s red zoneM
 (7-Speed Manual Shift Mode) 
Indicator/Shift Indicator 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 441 of 593

uuWhen Driving uShifting
440Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen 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 before the vehicle has come 
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the 
lever position before pulling away.
If the transmission i ndicator blinks when driving, in 
any shift position, there is a problem with the 
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this  happens, 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 held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position 
Indicator
Models with information display
Models with multi-information display
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
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443
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally 
shifting into 
(R
 from a forward gear while the vehicle 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
*1.
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.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an  ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an 
ignition switch.■
Reverse Lockout 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 465 of 593

464
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), SystemHelps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less than 
what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. It does 
so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the 
engine does not respond to the accelerator. 
You may also notice some noise from the 
hydraulic system. You will also see the 
indicator blink.■
VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® may not function properly if tire type and size 
are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and type 
of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on 
while driving, there may be a problem with the 
system. While this may not  interfere with normal 
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations 
and does not control the entire braking system. You 
still need to drive and cor ner at speeds appropriate 
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient 
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally 
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The 
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA ® System 
Indicator 
         
        
        
     
        
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465
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel. 
To turn the VSA® system on and off, press and 
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA ® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the   (VSA ® OFF ) 
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the 
engine, even if you turned it off the last time 
you drove the vehicle.
■
VSA ® On and Off
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Without VSA ®, your vehicle will have normal braking 
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA ® 
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets 
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier 
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA ® system is off, the traction control 
system is also off. You should only attempt to free 
your vehicle with the VSA ® off if you are not able to 
free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to 
switch VSA®  on again. We do not recommend driving 
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control 
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on or 
blinks, the VSA ® system comes on automatically. In 
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing 
the  button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the 
engine compartment while system checks are being 
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or 
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF  Indicator