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5-12Starting and driving
vehicle is not designed for cor-
nering at the same speeds as
conventional passenger cars.
Failure to operate this vehicle
correctly could result in loss of
control and/or a rollover acci-
dent.
. Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial), and tread
pattern on all four wheels. Install
traction devices on the front
wheels when driving on slippery
roads and drive carefully.
. Be sure to check the brakes im-
mediately after driving in mud or
water. See “Brake system” (P.5-
106) for wet brakes.
. Avoid parking your vehicle on
steep hills. If you get out of the
vehicle and it rolls forward, back-
ward or sideways, you could be
injured.
. Whenever you drive off-road
through sand, mud or water as
deep as the wheel hub, more
frequent maintenance may be
required. See the maintenance
schedule shown in the “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section. .
Spinning the front wheels on
slippery surfaces may cause the
AWD warning message to display
and the AWD system to automa-
tically switch from the AWD mode
to the 2WD mode. This could
reduce traction. (AWD models)
WARNING
Never remove the key or place the
ignition switch in the LOCK position
while driving. The steering wheel will
lock and could cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle. This could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
IGNITION SWITCH (models without
Intelligent Key system)
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JVS1067X
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANS-
MISSION (CVT)
The ignition lock is designed so that the
ignition switch cannot be turned to the
LOCK position until the shift lever is
moved to the P (Park) position. When
moving the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, to remove the key from the
ignition switch, make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position.
When the ignition switch cannot be
turned to the LOCK position:
1. Move the shift lever to the P (Park)position. 2. Turn the ignition switch slightly in the
ON direction.
3. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
If the ignition switch is turned to the
LOCK position, the shift lever cannot be
moved from the P (Park) position. The
shift lever can be moved if the ignition
switch is in the ON position with the foot
brake pedal depressed.
JVS1067X
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (MT)
The ignition switch includes a device that
helps prevent accidental removal of the
key while driving.
The key can only be removed when the
ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
Starting and driving5-13
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5-14Starting and driving
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK: Normal parking position (0)
OFF: (Not used) (1)
This position activates electrical acces-
sories such as the radio when the engine
is not running.
ON: Normal operating position (2)
This position turns on the ignition system
and the electrical accessories.
START: (3)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.
WARNING
Do not operate the push-button
ignition switch while driving the ve-
hicle except in an emergency. (The
engine will stop when the ignition
switch is pushed 3 consecutive times
or the ignition switch is pushed and
held for more than 2 seconds.) If the
engine stops while the vehicle is
being driven, this could lead to a
crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button igni-
tion switch, be sure to move the shift
lever to the P (Park) position (for Con-
tinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
models) or the shift lever to the N
(Neutral) position (for Manual Transmis-
sion (MT) models).
SSD0436
OPERATING RANGE FOR ENGINE
START FUNCTION
The Intelligent Key can only be used for
starting the engine when the Intelligent
Key is within the specified operating
range
.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost
discharged or strong radio waves are
present near the operating location, the
Intelligent Key system’s operating range
becomes narrower and may not function
properly.
If the Intelligent Key is within the operat-
ing range, it is possible for anyone, even
someone who does not carry the Intelli-
gent Key, to push the ignition switch to
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
(model with Intelligent Key system)
Page 300 of 512

start the engine.
.The cargo room area is not included in
the operating range but the Intelligent
Key may function.
. If the Intelligent Key is placed on the
instrument panel, inside the glove box
or door pocket, the Intelligent Key may
not function.
. If the Intelligent Key is placed near the
door or window outside the vehicle,
the Intelligent Key may function.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
OPERATION
CAUTION
.Do not leave the vehicle for ex-
tended periods of time when the
ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion and the engine is not run-
ning. This can discharge the
battery.
. Use electrical accessories with
the engine running to avoid dis-
charging the vehicle battery. If
you must use accessories while
the engine is not running, do not
use them for extended periods of
time and do not use multiple
electrical accessories at the same time.
JVS0937X
When the ignition switch is pushed with-
out depressing the brake pedal (CVT
models) or the clutch pedal (MT models),
the ignition switch will illuminate.
Push the ignition switch center:
.
once to change to ON.
. two times to change to OFF.
The ignition switch will automatically
return to the LOCK position when any
door is either opened or closed with the
switch in the OFF position.
Starting and driving5-15
Page 301 of 512

5-16Starting and driving
Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion (CVT) models
The ignition lock is designed so that the
ignition switch position cannot be
switched to OFF until the shift lever is
moved to the P (Park) position.
When the ignition switch cannot be
pushed toward the OFF position, proceed
as follows:
1. Move the shift lever into the P (Park)position.
2. Push the ignition switch. The ignition switch position will change to the ON
position.
3. Push the ignition switch again to the OFF 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 at
this position.
The ignition switch will lock when any
door is opened or closed with the ignition
switched off.
ON (Normal operating position)
The ignition system and the electrical
accessory power activate at this position
without the engine turned on.
The ON position has a battery saver
feature that will place the ignition switch
in the OFF position, if the vehicle is not
running, after some time under the fol-
lowing conditions:
. all doors are closed.
. shift lever is in P (Park) position (CVT
model) or N (Neutral) position (MT
model).
The battery saver feature will be can-
celled if any of the following occur:
. any door is opened.
. shift lever is moved out of the P (Park)
position (CVT model). .
ignition switch changes position.
OFF position
The engine is turned off in this position.
Auto ACC position
With the vehicle in the P (Park) position
(CVT models) or the N (Neutral) position
(MT models), the Intelligent Key with you
and the ignition placed from ON to OFF,
the radio can still be used for a period of
time, or until the driver’s door is opened.
After a period of time, functions such as
radio, navigation (if so equipped), and
Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System
may be restarted by turning on the audio
system (See “Audio system” (P.4-38) in this
manual), or by the UNLOCK button on the
Intelligent Key for up to a total of 30
minutes.
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF
To shut off the engine in an emergency
situation while driving, perform the fol-
lowing procedure:
.Rapidly push the push-button ignition
switch 3 consecutive times in less
than 1.5 seconds, or
. Push and hold the push-button igni-
tion switch for more than 2 seconds.
Page 302 of 512

JVS0404X
INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY DIS-
CHARGE
If the battery of the Intelligent Key is
discharged, or environmental conditions
interfere with the Intelligent Key opera-
tion, start the engine according to the
following procedure:
1. Move the shift lever to the P (Park)position (for CVT models) or the shift
lever to the N (Neutral) position (for MT
models).
2. Firmly apply the foot brake.
3. Touch the ignition switch with the Intelligent Key as illustrated. (A chime
will sound.) 4. Push the ignition switch while depres-
sing the brake pedal within 10 sec-
onds after the chime sounds. The
engine will start.
After step 3 is performed, when the
ignition switch is pushed without depres-
sing the brake pedal, the ignition switch
position will change to ACC.
NOTE:
. When the ignition switch is pushed
to the ON position or the engine is
started by the above procedures, the
“Key Battery Low” warning appears
(on the Vehicle information display)
even if the Intelligent Key is inside
the vehicle. This is not a malfunction.
To turn off the warning, touch the
ignition switch with the Intelligent
Key again.
. If the “Key Battery Low” warning
appears (on the Vehicle information
display), replace the battery as soon
as possible. (See “Intelligent Key
battery replacement” (P.8-23).) .
Make sure the area around the vehicle
is clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid, and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible,
or at least whenever you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appear-
ance and condition. Also check tires
for proper inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head re-
straints.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passen-
gers to do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is placed in
the ON position. (See “Warning lights,
indicator lights and audible remin-
ders” (P.2-10).)
Starting and driving5-17
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
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5-18Starting and driving
1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) model:
Move the shift lever to the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed so that it does
not operate unless the shift lever is in
either of the above positions.
Manual Transmission (MT) model:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position, and depress the clutch pedal
to the floor while starting the engine.
3. Crank the engine with your foot off
the accelerator pedal by turning the
ignition switch to START. Release the
switch when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat
the above procedure.
.If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when
restarting, depress the accelerator
pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to
the floor) and hold it and then
crank the engine. Release the ac-
celerator pedal when the engine
starts.
.If the engine is very hard to startbecause it is flooded, depress the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it. Crank the engine
for 5 - 6 seconds. After cranking the engine, release the accelerator
pedal. Crank the engine
with your
foot off the accelerator pedal by
turning the ignition switch to
START. Release the ignition switch
when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, re-
peat the above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine does not start, turn the igni-
tion switch off and wait 10 seconds
before cranking again, otherwise the
starter could be damaged.
Do not turn the ignition switch to the
START position unless the engine
and starter have stopped moving.
Attempting to start the engine while
the engine or starter is moving may
cause damage.
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the
engine while warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance
first, especially in cold weather. In cold
weather, keep the engine running for a minimum of 2 - 3 minutes before
shutting it off. Starting and stopping
the engine over a short period of time
may make the vehicle more difficult to
start.
5. To stop the engine, shift the shift lever to the P (Park) position (CVT model) or
N (Neutral) position (MT model) and
turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start condi-
tions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume
battery power when the engine is
not running (Phone chargers, GPS,
DVD players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/
or only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to
be charged to maintain battery health.
STARTING THE ENGINE (model
without Intelligent Key system)
Page 304 of 512

1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) model:
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) model:
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 de-
pressed.
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 mod-
els) 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 mod-
els) or the clutch pedal (MT models)
with the ignition switch in any posi-
tion.
.If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when restarting, 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
accelerator 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.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine does not start, push the
ignition switch to OFF and wait 10
seconds before cranking again,
otherwise the starter could be da-
maged. 4.
Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the
engine while warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance
first, especially in cold weather. In cold
weather, keep the engine running for
a minimum of 2 - 3 minutes before
shutting it off. Starting and stopping
the engine over a short period of time
may make the vehicle more difficult to
start.
When racing the engine up to 4,000
rpm or more under no load condition,
the engine will enter the fuel cut
mode.
5. To stop the engine, move the shift lever to the P (Park) position (CVT
models) or move the shift lever to
the N (Neutral) position (MT models),
and push the ignition switch to the
OFF position.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start condi-
tions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume
battery power when the engine is
not running (Phone chargers, GPS,
DVD players, etc.)
Starting and driving5-19
STARTING THE ENGINE (model
with Intelligent Key system)