
542
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
u The parking brake and brake system 
indicator comes on for 15 seconds when 
you press the electric parking brake 
switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Press the  ENGINE START/STOP  button 
without depressing the accelerator pedal. 
The engine will crank until it starts.1 Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when 
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in 
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 
meters).
When starting the engine in  cold weather, turn off all 
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate 
control system, and rear de fogger in order to reduce 
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold, 
an engine block heater  will improve starting and 
warming of the engine. Cons ult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can 
smell exhaust gas inside the  vehicle, have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with 
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the remote close to the  ENGINE START/STOP 
button if the battery in the remote is weak. 2 If the Remote Battery is Weak  P. 715
The engine may not start if  the remote is subjected to 
strong radio waves.
Do not hold the  ENGINE START/STOP  button to 
start the engine.
If the engine does not start,  wait at least 30 seconds 
before trying again.
Brake Pedal
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548
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or 
driveline, or cause elec trical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something  under the vehicle, stop in a safe location. 
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not change the gear position while pressing the 
accelerator pedal. You could damage the 
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an 
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in 
the full left or right position for a while, the electric 
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system 
goes into a protective  mode, and limits its 
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder 
and harder to operate. Once  the system cools down, 
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under  these conditions can 
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while 
driving, the engine will  shut down and all steering 
and brake power assist functi ons will stop, making it 
difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not change the gear position to 
( N, as you will 
lose engine braking (and  acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, 
avoid sudden acceleration or  full throttle operation so 
as not to damage the  engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the  first 200 miles (300 km). 
You should also follow this  when the brake pads are 
replaced.
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
552
Driving
■Shift Operation1Shift Operation
NOTICE
When you change (D to (R and vice versa, depress 
the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, then 
select the intended gear  position while maintaining 
brake pressure.
Use the gear position indicator and the shift button 
indicator to check the gear  position before selecting 
a shift button.
If the indicator of the curren tly selected gear position, 
or all the gear position  indicators are blinking 
simultaneously, there is a problem with the 
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration  and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine 
speeds in or over the tac hometer’s red zone (engine 
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a 
slight jolt.
When the engine speed is increased while the 
transmission is in 
( N, (P or (R, the fuel supply may 
be cut off even without  the engine speed entering 
the tachometer’s red zone.
The beeper sounds once when you change to 
( R.
2 Vehicle Customization  P. 134
2 Customized Features  P. 448Models with color audio system
Models with Display Audio
Press the (P button.
Pull back the 
( R button.
Press the 
( N button.
Press the   button.
Each time you pre ss the button, the 
mode switches between Drive and S 
Position mode.
D/S
Shift Button 
Indicator
M  (sequential mode) Indicator
Tachometer’s red zone
Sequential Mode Gear Selection 
Indicator
Gear Position Indicator
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596
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic 
Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less 
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. 
It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the 
engine does not respond to the accelerator. 
You may also notice some noise from the 
hydraulic system. You will also see the 
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control 
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and 
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and 
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays 
on while driving, there ma y be a problem with the 
system. While this may not interfere with normal 
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer 
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations 
and does not control the entire braking system. You 
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate 
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient 
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally 
known as Electronic Stab ility Control (ESC). The 
system also includes a  traction control function.
VSA® System 
Indicator
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597
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel. 
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a 
beep.
Your vehicle will have normal braking and 
cornering ability, but tra ction control function 
will be less effective.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press 
the  (VSA ® OFF) button until you hear a 
beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the 
engine, even if you turned it off the last time 
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control 
(ESC), System
In certain unusual  conditions when your vehicle gets 
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier 
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the   button is pressed, the traction control 
function becomes less effective. This allows for the 
wheels to spin more freely  at low speed. You should 
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if 
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after  freeing your vehicle, be sure to 
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving 
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the 
engine compartment while system checks are being 
performed immediately after starting the engine or 
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
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uuBraking uBrake System
610
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist 
helps reduce the effort needed on the brake  pedal. The brake assist system increases 
the stopping force when you depress th e brake pedal hard in an emergency 
situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS ) helps you retain steering control when 
braking very hard.
2 Brake Assist System  P. 614
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)  P. 613
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water, 
or if there is a buildup of  road surface water. If 
necessary, dry the brakes by  lightly depressing the 
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous me tallic friction sound when 
applying the brakes, this is  caused by the brake wear 
indicator rubbing on the  brake rotor and indicates 
that the brake pads need to be replaced. Have the 
vehicle checked by a deal er. If you hear only an 
occasional squeak or squeal  when you initially apply 
the brake pedal, this may be normal and caused by 
high frequency vibration of the brake pads against 
the rotating brake disc.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a 
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake 
effectiveness. Apply engine  braking by taking your 
foot off the accelerator pe dal and downshifting to a 
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot  on the brake pedal while 
driving, as it will lightly  apply the brakes and cause 
them to lose effectiveness  over time and reduce pad 
life. It will also conf use drivers behind you.
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613
uuBraking uAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up,  and helps you retain steering control by 
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribu tion (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also 
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pu mp the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always 
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pe dal. This is sometimes referred to as 
“stomp and steer.”
■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when  the ABS is working. Depress the brake 
pedal and keep holding the pedal firmly do wn. On dry pavement, you will need to 
press on the brake pedal very hard before th e ABS activates. However, you may feel 
the ABS activate immediately if you  are trying to stop on snow or ice.
ABS may activate when you depres s the brake pedal when driving on:
• Wet or snow covered roads.
• Roads paved with stone.
• Roads with uneven surf aces, such as potholes, cracks, manholes, etc.
When the vehicle speed goes unde r 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
NOTICE
The ABS may not function correc tly if you use a tire of 
the wrong size or type.
If the ABS  indicator comes on while driving, there 
may be a problem with  the system. While normal 
braking will not be affected, there is a possibility that 
the ABS will not operati ng. Have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS is not designed for the purpose of reducing 
the time or distance it takes for a vehicle to stop: It is 
designed to limit brake lockup which can lead to 
skidding and loss of steering control.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more 
distance to stop than a vehicle without the ABS:
•You are driving on rough or uneven road surfaces, 
such as gravel or snow.
•The tires are equipped  with snow chains.
The following may be observed with the ABS system:
•Motor sounds coming from the engine 
compartment when the brakes are applied, or 
when system checks are being performed after the 
engine has been  started and while the vehicle 
accelerates.
•Brake pedal and/or the ve hicle body vibration when 
ABS activates.
These vibrations and sounds are normal to ABS 
systems and are no cause for concern.
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641
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 642
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 643
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 644
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 645
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Un der the Hood .... 651
Opening the Hood ........................... 652
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 654
Oil Check ......................................... 655
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 656
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 657
Engine Coolant ................................ 659
Transmission Fluid ............................ 661
Brake Fluid ....................................... 662
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 663
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 664
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 675Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 679
Tire and Loading Information Label ..... 680Tire Labeling .................................... 680DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ...... 682Wear Indicators................................ 684 Tire Service Life ................................ 684
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 685
Tire Rotation .................................... 686
Winter Tires ..................................... 687
Battery ............................................... 688
Remote Transmitter Care ................. 690
Remote Control and Wireless  Headphone Care
*........................... 691Climate Control System Maintenance.... 693Cleaning Interior Care .................................... 694
Exterior Care.................................... 697
Accessories and Modifications ........ 700
* Not available on all models
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