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Instruments and controls/Ignition switch (models without push – button start system)
Ignition switch (models with-
out push-button start sys-
tem) WARNING. Never turn the ignition switch to
“ LOCK ” while the vehicle is
being driven or towed because
that will lock the steering wheel,
preventing steering control. And
when the engine is turned off, it
takes a much greater effort than
usual to steer.
. Before leaving the vehicle, al-
ways remove the key from the
ignition switch for safety and
never allow an unattended child
to remain in the vehicle. Failure
to follow this procedure could
result in injury to a child or
others. Children could operate
the power windows, the moon-
roof or other controls or even
make the vehicle move.
CAUTION
Do not attach a large key holder or
key case to either key. If it banged against your knees or hands while
you are driving, it could turn the
ignition switch from the “ ON ” posi-
tion to the “ ACC ” or “ LOCK ” posi-
tion, thereby stopping the engine.
Also, if the key is attached to a
keyholder or to a large bunch of
other keys, centrifugal force may act
on it as the vehicle moves, resulting
in unwanted turning of the ignition
switch.
The ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
NOTE . Keep the ignition switch in the
“ LOCK ” position when the engine is
not running. . Using electrical accessories for a
long time with the ignition switch in the
“ ON ” or “ ACC ” position can cause the
battery to go dead.
. If the ignition switch will not move
from the “ LOCK ” position to the “ ACC ”
position, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left and right as you turn
the ignition switch.
& LOCK The key can only be inserted or removed
in this position. The ignition switch will lock
the steering wheel when you remove the
key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the right and left
as you turn the key.3-4
Page 137 of 594

Instruments and controls/Hazard warning flasher
pressed, steering is locked. When this
occurs, press the push-button ignition
switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
! Battery drainage prevention func-
tion
When the push-button ignition switch is
left in the “ ACC ” or “ ON ” position for
approximately 1 hour, the push-button
ignition switch will be automatically
switched to “ OFF ” to prevent the battery
from going dead. (In CVT models, this
function is activated when the select lever
is in the “ P ” position.)
& When access key does not
operate properlyRefer to “ Access key – if access key does
not operate properly ” F 9-16. Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher is used to
warn other drivers when you have to park
your vehicle under emergency conditions.
The hazard warning flasher works regard-
less of the position of the ignition switch.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher,
push the hazard warning button on the
instrument panel. To turn off the flasher,
push the button again.
NOTE When the hazard warning flasher is on,
the turn signals do not work. Meters and gauges NOTE Liquid-crystal displays are used in
some of the meters and gauges on
the combination meter. You will find
their indications hard to see if you wear
polarized glasses.
& Combination meter illumina-
tion When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ” position, the various parts of the
combination meter are illuminated in the
following sequence.
1. Warning lights, indicator lights, meter
needles, gauge needles illuminate.
2. Meter and gauge indications each
show MAX position.
3. Meter and gauge indications each
show MIN position.
4. Regular illumination (for driving) be-
gins.3-8
Page 413 of 594

Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
by inertia with the select lever set
in a forward position or move the
vehicle forward by inertia with
the select lever set in the reverse
position. Doing so may result in
an unexpected accident or mal-
function.
. Do not shift from the “ D ” position
into the “ R ” position or vice
versa until the vehicle has com-
pletely stopped. Such shifting
may cause damage to the trans-
mission.
. When parking the vehicle, first
securely apply the parking brake
and then place the select lever in
the “ P ” position. Do not park for
a long time with the select lever
in any other position as doing so
could result in a dead battery.
NOTE . When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is still low, the transmission will
upshift to higher engine speeds than
when the coolant temperature is suffi-
ciently high in order to shorten the
warm-up time and improve driveability.
The gearshift timing will automatically
shift to the normal timing after the
engine has warmed up. . Immediately after transmission fluid
is replaced, you may feel that the
transmission operation is somewhat
unusual. This results from invalidation
of data which the on-board computer
has collected and stored in memory to
allow the transmission to shift at the
most appropriate times for the current
condition of your vehicle. Optimized
shifting will be restored as the vehicle
continues to be driven for a while.
. When driving a CVT model under
continuous heavy load conditions such
as when climbing a long, steep hill, the
engine speed or the vehicle speed may
automatically be reduced. This is not a
malfunction. This phenomenon results
from the engine control function main-
taining the cooling performance of the
vehicle. The engine and vehicle speed
will return to a normal speed when the
engine is able to maintain the optimum
cooling performance after the heavy
load decreases. Driving under a heavy
load must be performed with extreme
care.
. The continuously variable transmis-
sion is a chain type system that
provides superior transmission effi-
ciency for maximum fuel economy. At
times, depending on varying driving
conditions, a chain operating noise
may be heard that is characteristic of this type of system.
& Select lever
1) Select lever button7-24