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The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
30. Transmission Fault Indicator
This light will illuminate (together with a mes-
sage in the EVIC and a buzzer) to indicate a
transmission fault. Contact your authorized
dealer if the message remains after restarting
the engine.
31. Electronic Speed Control Set Indicator Light
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is set. 32. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
This light monitors the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake system is
not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of anti-lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 159
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................199
▫ Automatic Transmission ................199
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .199
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................200
▫ Extended Park Starting ..................200
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................201
▫ After Starting ....................... .201
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .201
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............202▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............204
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .204
▫ Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission ........204
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .206
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........213
▫ Acceleration ........................ .213
▫ Traction ........................... .214
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............214
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................214
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................215
5
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POWER STEERING .....................216
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............217
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .218
BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .220
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .221
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .221
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............222
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............223
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................223
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........225
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................226
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........228
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............229
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .229
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........233
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........235
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........236
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........241
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .241
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................242
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .244
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .244
▫ Tire Types .......................... .245
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............247
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............247
196 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!
•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 transmission gear selec-
tor.
• 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.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
5
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WARNING!(Continued)
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key.
Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key from the vehicle and lock the 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. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
5
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CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the full
LOCK/OFF (key removal) position. The key can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the full
LOCK/OFF position, and once removed the transmission
is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock system (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission
out of PARK, the ignition must be turned to the ON/
RUN position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is
stopped or moving at low speeds.
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both
beside the shift lever and in the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC). To select a gear range, press the
204 STARTING AND OPERATING
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lock button on the shift lever and move the lever rear-
ward or forward. You must also press the brake pedal to
shift the transmission out of PARK, or to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is
stopped or moving at low speeds (refer toBrake/
Transmission Shift Interlock System in this section).
Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles or kilometers.
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears. The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
positions. Manual downshifts can be made using the ERS
shift control (refer to
Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation in this section for further information). Mov-
ing the shift lever into the ERS (-/+) position (beside the
DRIVE position) activates ERS mode and prevents auto-
matic upshifts beyond this gear. In ERS mode, toggling
the shift lever forward (-) or rearward (+) will change the
highest available gear.
NOTE: If the shift lever cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed for-
ward) it is probably in the ERS (+/-) position (beside the
DRIVE position). In ERS mode, the transmission gear
limit (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Move the shift lever to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
5
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Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
Shift Lever
206 STARTING AND OPERATING