
168SAFETY  
(Continued)
to rise to approximately 28 psi (193 kPa), but 
the TPMS Warning Light will still be on. In this 
situation, the TPMS Warning Light will turn off 
only after the tires are inflated to the vehicle’s 
recommended cold placard pressure value.
NOTE:
When filling warm tires, the tire pressure may 
need to be increased up to an additional 4 psi 
(28 kPa) above the recommended cold placard 
pressure in order to turn the TPMS Warning 
Light off. NOTE:
The TPMS is not intended to replace normal 
tire care and maintenance, or to provide 
warning of a tire failure or condition.
The TPMS should not be used as a tire pres-
sure gauge while adjusting your tire pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire 
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to 
tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel 
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect 
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire 
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsi -
bility to maintain correct tire pressure using 
an accurate tire pressure gauge, even if 
underinflation has not reached the level to 
trigger illumination of the TPMS Warning 
Light.
Seasonal temperature changes will affect 
tire pressure, and the TPMS will monitor the 
actual tire pressure in the tire.CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the orig -
inal equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pres -
sures and warning have been established for 
the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Unde -
sirable system operation or sensor damage 
may result when using replacement equip -
ment that is not of the same size, type, and/
or style. The TPM sensor is not designed for 
use on aftermarket wheels and may 
contribute to a poor overall system perfor -
mance or sensor damage. Customers are 
encouraged to use OEM wheels to assure 
proper TPM feature operation.
Using aftermarket tire sealants may cause 
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System 
(TPMS) sensor to become inoperable. After 
using an aftermarket tire sealant it is 
recommended that you take your vehicle to 
an authorized dealer to have your sensor 
function checked.
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pres -
sure always reinstall the valve stem cap. 
This will prevent moisture and dirt from 
entering the valve stem, which could 
damage the TPMS sensor.
CAUTION!  (Continued)
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 168   

196SAFETY  
Enhanced Accident Response System  
In the event of an impact, if the communication 
network remains intact, and the power remains 
intact, depending on the nature of the event, 
the ORC will determine whether to have the 
Enhanced Accident Response System perform 
the following functions:
Cut off fuel to the engine (if equipped).
Cut off battery power to the electric motor (if 
equipped).
Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has 
power.
Turn on the interior lights, which remain on 
as long as the battery has power or for 
15 minutes from the intervention of the 
Enhanced Accident Response System.
Unlock the power door locks. Your vehicle may also be designed to perform 
any of these other functions in response to the 
Enhanced Accident Response System:
Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the 
HVAC Blower Motor, Close the HVAC Circula
-
tion Door
Cut off battery power to the:
Engine
Electric Motor (if equipped)
Electric power steering
Brake booster
Electric park brake
Automatic transmission gear selector
Horn
Front wiper
Headlamp washer pump NOTE:
After an accident, remember to cycle the ignition 
to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position and remove the 
key from the ignition switch to avoid draining the 
battery. Carefully check the vehicle for fuel leaks 
in the engine compartment and on the ground 
near the engine compartment and fuel tank 
before resetting the system and starting the 
engine. If there are no fuel leaks or damage to 
the vehicle electrical devices (e.g. headlights) 
after an accident, reset the system by following 
the procedure described below. If you have any 
doubt, contact an authorized dealer.
Enhanced Accident Response System Reset 
Procedure
If applicable, refer to the “Hybrid Supplement” 
for additional information.
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident 
Response System functions after an event, the 
ignition switch must be changed from ignition 
START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF. Carefully 
check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine 
compartment and on the ground near the 
engine compartment and fuel tank before 
resetting the system and starting the engine.
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 196   

218SAFETY  
(Continued)
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make 
Outside The Vehicle
Tires 
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and 
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, 
glass, or other objects lodged in the tread or 
sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks.  Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges. 
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the 
tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation 
pressure.
Lights    
Have someone observe the operation of brake 
lights and exterior lights while you work the 
controls. Check turn signal and high beam 
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches 
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks 
Check area under the vehicle after overnight 
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. 
Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, or 
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause 
should be located and corrected immediately.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the 
driver’s side floor area. To check for inter
-
ference, with the vehicle properly parked 
with the engine off, fully depress the accel -
erator, the brake, and the clutch pedal (if 
present) to check for interference. If your 
floor mat interferes with the operation of 
any pedal, or is not secure to the floor, 
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and 
place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on 
the passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or 
slide into the driver’s side floor area when 
the vehicle is moving. Objects can become 
trapped under accelerator, brake, or clutch 
pedals and could cause a loss of vehicle 
control.
NEVER place any objects under the floor 
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects 
could change the position of the floor mat 
and may cause interference with the accel -
erator, brake, or clutch pedals.
WARNING!  (Continued)
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and 
re-installed, always properly attach carpet 
to the floor and check the floor mat 
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet. 
Fully depress each pedal to check for inter -
ference with the accelerator, brake, or 
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap 
and water to clean your floor mats. After 
cleaning, always check your floor mat has 
been properly installed and is secured to 
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners 
by lightly pulling mat.
WARNING!  (Continued)
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 218   

STARTING AND OPERATING223
(Continued)
If the driver shifts into PARK while moving, the 
vehicle may Park.
PARK will engage  ONLY when vehicle speed is 
1.2 mph (1.9 km/h) or less.
The MESSAGE “ Vehicle Speed is Too High to 
Shift to P ” will display in the Instrument Cluster 
Display if vehicle speed is above 1.2 mph 
(1.9 km/h). The gear position indicator will blink 
continuously until the selector is returned to the 
proper position, or the requested shift can be 
completed.Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F Or 
−30°C) 
To ensure reliable starting at these 
temperatures, use of an externally powered 
electric engine block heater (available from an 
authorized dealer) is recommended.
After Starting — Warming Up The Engine
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it 
will decrease as the engine warms up.
If Engine Fails To Start  To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE 
START/STOP Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push 
and release the ENGINE START/STOP 
button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF  position.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the  ENGINE START/STOP button must be held 
for two seconds or three short pushes in a 
row with the vehicle speed above 5 mph 
(8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The 
ignition switch position will remain in the 
ACC position until the gear selector is in 
PARK and the button is pushed twice to the 
OFF position. If the gear selector is not in WARNING!
If vehicle speed is not below 1.2 mph 
(1.9 km/h) when the driver shifts into PARK, 
the transmission will default to NEUTRAL until 
the vehicle speed drops below 1.2 mph 
(1.9 km/h) and the above condition are met, 
enabling AutoPark. A vehicle left in the 
NEUTRAL position can roll. As an added 
precaution, always apply the parking brake 
when exiting the vehicle.WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid 
into the throttle body air inlet opening in an 
attempt to start the vehicle. This could 
result in flash fire causing serious personal 
injury.
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle 
to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an 
automatic transmission cannot be started 
this way. Unburned fuel could enter the 
catalytic converter and once the engine has 
started, ignite and damage the converter 
and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, 
booster cables may be used to obtain a 
start from a booster battery or the battery in 
another vehicle. This type of start can be 
dangerous if done improperly. Refer to 
“Jump Starting Procedure” in “In Case Of 
Emergency” for further information.
WARNING!  (Continued)
5
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 223   

230STARTING AND OPERATING  
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission 
The transmission is controlled using a rotary 
electronic gear selector located on the center 
console. The transmission gear selector has 
PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and LOW 
shift positions. Using the LOW position manually 
downshifts the transmission to a lower gear 
based on vehicle speed. The transmission gear 
range (PRNDL) is displayed both above the gear 
selector and in the instrument cluster. To select 
a gear range, simply rotate the gear selector. 
Push down on the gear selector and then rotate 
it, to access the L position. You must also press 
the brake pedal to shift the transmission out of 
PARK (or NEUTRAL, when stopped or moving at 
low speeds). To shift past multiple gear ranges 
at once (such as PARK to DRIVE), simply rotate 
the gear selector to the appropriate detent. 
Select the DRIVE range for normal driving. NOTE:
In the event of a mismatch between the gear 
selector position and the actual transmission 
gear (for example, driver selects PARK while 
driving), the position indicator will blink continu
-
ously until the selector is returned to the proper 
position, or the requested shift can be 
completed.
The electronically-controlled transmission 
adapts its shift schedule based on driver inputs, 
along with environmental and road conditions. 
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 
(kilometers).
The nine-speed transmission has been 
developed to meet the needs of current and 
future FWD/AWD vehicles. Software and 
calibration is refined to optimize the customer’s 
driving experience and fuel economy. By design, 
some vehicle and driveline combinations utilize 
9th gear only in very specific driving situations 
and conditions. 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.
Transmission Gear Selector
Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal 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.
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 230   

232STARTING AND OPERATING  
The following indicators should be used to 
ensure that you have properly engaged the 
transmission into the PARK position:
Look at the transmission gear position 
display and verify that it indicates the PARK 
position (P), and is not blinking.
With brake pedal released, verify that the 
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. 
Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has 
come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for 
prolonged periods with the engine running. The 
engine may be started in this range. Apply the 
park brake and shift the transmission into PARK 
if you must exit the vehicle.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and 
highway driving. It provides the smoothest 
upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel 
economy. The transmission automatically 
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE 
position provides optimum driving 
characteristics under all normal operating 
conditions.
If the transmission temperature exceeds 
normal operating limits, the transmission 
controller may modify the transmission shift 
schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or expand 
the range of torque converter clutch 
engagement. This is done to prevent 
transmission damage due to overheating.
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 transmis -
sion gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the 
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition in the 
ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could 
operate power windows, other controls, or 
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Before moving the transmission gear 
selector out of PARK, you must start the 
engine, and also press the brake pedal. 
Otherwise, damage to the gear selector 
could result.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from 
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, 
as this can damage the drivetrain.
WARNING!  (Continued)
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off 
the ignition to coast down a hill. These are 
unsafe practices that limit your response to 
changing traffic or road conditions. You might 
lose control of the vehicle and have a 
collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any 
other reason with the transmission in 
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission 
damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting 
And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled 
Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further 
information.
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 232   

STARTING AND OPERATING233
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the 
“Transmission Temperature Warning Light” will 
illuminate, a warning message will appear in the 
instrument cluster, and the transmission may 
operate differently until the transmission cools 
down.
During cold temperatures, transmission 
operation may be modified depending on 
engine and transmission temperature as well 
as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm 
up time of the engine and transmission to 
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of 
the torque converter clutch, and shifts into 8th 
or 9th gear, are inhibited until the transmission 
fluid is warm refer to the “Note” under “Torque 
Converter Clutch” in this section. Normal 
operation will resume once the transmission 
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
LOW (L)
Use this range for engine braking when 
descending very steep grades. In this range, the 
transmission will downshift for increased 
engine braking. To access the LOW position, 
push down on the gear selector and rotate it 
fully clockwise.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored 
electronically for abnormal conditions. If a 
condition is detected that could result in 
transmission damage, Transmission Limp 
Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the 
transmission may operate only in a fixed gear, 
or may remain in NEUTRAL. The Malfunction 
Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp 
Home Mode may allow the vehicle to be driven 
to an authorized dealer for service without 
damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the 
transmission can be reset to regain all forward 
gears by performing the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if 
possible. If not, shift the transmission to 
NEUTRAL.
3. Push and hold the ignition switch until the  engine turns off.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds. 5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the 
problem is no longer detected, the 
transmission will return to normal 
operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we 
recommend that you visit an authorized dealer 
at your earliest possible convenience. An autho -
rized dealer has diagnostic equipment to 
assess the condition of your transmission. If the 
transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer 
service is required.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy 
has been included in the automatic 
transmission on your vehicle. A clutch within the 
torque converter engages automatically at 
calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly 
different feeling or response during normal 
operation in the upper gears. When the vehicle 
speed drops or during some accelerations, the 
clutch automatically disengages.
5
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 233   

STARTING AND OPERATING235
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to reduce 
fuel consumption. The system will stop the 
engine automatically during a vehicle stop if the 
required conditions are met. Releasing the 
brake pedal, pressing the accelerator pedal or 
shifting out of DRIVE (D) will automatically 
re-start the engine.
This vehicle has been upgraded with a heavy 
duty starter, enhanced battery, and other 
upgraded engine parts to handle the additional 
engine starts.
Auto Stop/Start
The Stop/Start feature is enabled 
after every normal customer engine 
start. At that time, the system will go 
into STOP/START READY and if all 
other conditions are met, can go into a STOP/
START AUTOSTOP ACTIVE.
To Activate Auto STOP/START, The Following 
Must Occur:
The system must be in STOP/START READY 
state. A STOP/START READY message will be 
displayed in the instrument cluster within the  Stop/Start section. Refer to “Instrument 
Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your 
Instrument Panel” for further information.
The vehicle must be completely stopped.
The shifter must be in a forward gear and the 
brake pedal depressed.
The engine will shut down, the tachometer will 
move to the zero position and the Stop/Start 
telltale will illuminate indicating you are in 
Autostop. Customer settings will be maintained 
throughout the Auto Stop/Start process.
Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not 
Autostop
Prior to engine shut down, the system will check 
many safety and comfort conditions for Stop/
Start and ensure they are fulfilled. Detailed 
information about the operation of the Stop/
Start system may be viewed in the instrument 
cluster display Stop/Start screen. In the 
following situations the engine will not stop:
If Stop/Start is manually disabled by the 
Stop/Start OFF button.
Driver’s seat belt is not buckled.
Driver’s door is not closed.
Battery temperature is too warm or cold.
Battery charge is low. During this time a 
message will display "Stop/Start Not Ready 
Battery Charging".
The vehicle is on a steep grade.
Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an 
acceptable cabin temperature has not been 
achieved.
HVAC is set to full defrost mode at a high 
blower speed.
HVAC set to MAX A/C.
Engine has not reached normal operating 
temperature.
The transmission is not in a forward gear.
Hood is open.
Brake pedal is not pressed with sufficient 
pressure.
5
20_RU_OM_EN_US_t.book  Page 235