Page 297 of 1672

illuminates when the ignition switch is in the
ACC or ON position.
Some indicators and warnings for operation are
displayed on the meter. (See “Warning lights,
indicator lights and audible reminders” (P.2-
15) .)
Continuously Variable Transmission
models
The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch position cannot be switched to LOCK
until the shift lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When the ignition switch cannot be pushed
toward the LOCK position, proceed as follows:
1. Move the shift lever into the P (Park)position.
2. Push the ignition switch to the OFF position.
3. Open the door. The ignition switch will change to the LOCK position.
The shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position if the ignition switch is in
the ON position and the brake pedal is
depressed.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
The ignition switch can only be locked in this
position.
The ignition switch will be unlocked when it is
pushed to the ACC position while carrying the
Intelligent Key.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio, when the engine is not
running.
ON (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the ignition system and
electrical accessories.
OFF
The engine can be turned off in this position.
Continuously Variable Transmission models: The
ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch cannot be switched to the LOCK position
until the shift lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
Page 299 of 1672

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) or N(Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the shift lever is in either of the above
positions.
Manual Transmission (MT) models:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position. Depress the clutch pedal fully to
the floor.
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
The Intelligent Key must be carried
when operating the ignition switch.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Depress the brake pedal (CVT models) or
the clutch pedal (MT models) and push the
ignition switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push and
release the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal (CVT models) or the clutch
pedal (MT models) with the ignition switch in
any position.
.If the engine is very hard to start inextremely cold weather or when restart-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal a little
(approximately 1/3 to the floor) and while
holding, crank the engine. Release the accelerator pedal when the engine starts.
.If the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Push the ignition switch to the ON
position to start cranking the engine.
After 5 or 6 seconds, stop cranking by
pushing the ignition switch to OFF. After
cranking the engine, release the accel-
erator pedal. Crank the engine with your
foot off the accelerator pedal by
depressing the brake pedal and pushing
the push-button ignition switch to start
the engine. If the engine starts, but fails
to run, repeat the above procedure.
Page 300 of 1672

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANS-
MISSION (CVT)
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
in your vehicle is electronically controlled to
produce maximum power and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures for this
transmission are shown on the following pages.
Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle
performance and driving enjoyment.
Engine power may be automatically re-
duced to protect the CVT if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the engine, fully depress thefoot brake pedal before moving the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
This CVT is designed so that the foot
brake pedal must be depressed before
shifting from P (Park) to any driving
position while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of
the other positions if the ignition
switch is placed in the LOCK, OFF or
ACC position or if the key is removed. 2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed, push
the shift lever button and move the shift lever
to a driving position.
3. Release the parking brake and foot brake pedal, and then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
Page 313 of 1672

accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the
set speed.
.To pass another vehicle, depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previously
set speed.
. The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
on winding or hilly roads. If this happens,
drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed, use one of the
following methods:
a) Push the CANCEL switch.
b) Tap the brake pedal.
c) Turn the MAIN switch off. The CRUISE indicator light will turn off.
.If you depress the brake pedal while pushing
the ACCEL/RES or COAST/SET switch and
reset at the cruising speed, the cruise
control will disengage. Turn the MAIN switch
off once and then turn it on again.
. The cruise control will automatically cancel if
the vehicle slows more than 8 MPH (13
km/h) below the set speed.
. If you move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position (Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion models) or depressing the clutch pedal
(Manual Transmission models) , the cruise
control will be canceled. To reset at a faster cruising speed,
use one
of the following methods:
. Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the COAST/SET switch.
. Push and hold the ACCEL/RES switch.
When the vehicle attains the desired speed,
release the switch.
. Push, then quickly release the ACCEL/RES
switch. Each time you do this, the set speed
will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h) .
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one
of the following methods:
. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it.
. Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
. Push, then quickly release the COAST/SET
switch. Each time you do this, the set speed
will decrease by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h) .
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the ACCEL/RES switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h) .
Page 317 of 1672
AWD shift tips
.The oil temperature of power train parts will
increase if the vehicle is continuously
operated under conditions where the differ-
ence in rotation between the front and rear
wheels is large (wheel slip) , such as when
driving the vehicle on rough roads through
sand or mud or when freeing a stuck vehicle.
In these cases, the AWD warning light blinks
rapidly and the AWD mode changes to the
2WD mode to protect the power train parts.
If you stop driving with the engine idling and
wait until the warning light stops blinking,
the AWD returns to the AWD-V or AWD
mode.
. Brake distance in the AWD mode is the
same as 2WD.
Page 321 of 1672

BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound
when the brake pedal is fully depressed slowly.
This is not a malfunction and indicates that the
brake assist mechanism is operating properly.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.
When the brake pedal is depressed slowly and
firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and feel a
slight pulsation. This is normal and indicates that
the Brake Assist System is operating.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the
brakes, wearing out the brake pads and shoes
faster and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down aslope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
Page 322 of 1672
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force than a
conventional brake booster even with light pedal
force.
Page 324 of 1672
(VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-23).
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and
is not an indication of a malfunction.