Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
- Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the first 805 km (500 mi).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
- Avoid making hard stops for the first 322 km (200 mi) or so. During this time the new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow thisAvoid making hard stops for the first 322 km (200 mi) or so. During this time the new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different positions.
The uplevel key must be fully extended to start the vehicle.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN and the regular brake pedal applied.
1 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/ OFF): When the vehicle is stopped, turn the ignition switch to LOCK/ OFF to turn the engine off.
This position locks the steering wheel, ignition, and transmission.
The ignition switch can bind in the LOCK/OFF position with the wheels turned off center. If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to left while turning the key to ACC/ ACCESSORY. If this does not work, then the vehicle needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle is moving. This will cause a loss of power assist in the brake and steering systems and disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an emergency:
- Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This may deplete power assist, requiring increased brake pedal force.
- Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the vehicle is moving. After shifting to N (Neutral), firmly apply the brakes and steer the vehicle to a safe location.
- Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) with an automatic transmission, or Neutral with a manual transmission. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
- Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9-26.
Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may cause loss of power assist in the brake and steering systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over, and must be shut off while driving, turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
Caution
Using a tool to force the key to turn in the ignition could cause damage to the switch or break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer.
2 (ACC/ACCESSORY): This is the position in which you can operate things like the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off.
3 (ON/RUN): This position can be used to operate the electrical accessories and to display some instrument cluster warning and indicator lights. This position can also be used for service and diagnostics, and to verify the proper operation of the malfunction indicator lamp as may be required for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
4 (START): This is the position that starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/ OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
If the ignition becomes difficult to turn with the uplevel key, see Keys on page 2-1.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. The vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
- With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine cranks, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the engine gets warm.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. It assists in starting the engine and protects components. If the ignition key is turned to START and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the engine starts. If the engine does not start and the key is held in START, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent damage. To prevent gear damage, cranking is not allowed if the engine is running. Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition key to ACC/ ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
Caution
Holding the key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause the battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage the starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining the battery or damaging the starter.
- If the engine does not start, wait about 15 seconds and try again.
Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
When the engine has run about 10 seconds to warm up, the vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not run the engine at high speed when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing (0°C or 32°F), let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
- If the engine still will not start, or starts but then stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Any resulting damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment on page 9-39.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below -18°C (0°F). Vehicles with an engine heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting.
- Turn off the engine.
- Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is located in the passenger side of the engine compartment, near the engine coolant container.
It is shipped from the factory with a tie holding it in place. Use care in removing the tie so that the cord is not damaged.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it. See your dealer for a replacement. Inspect the cord for damage yearly.
- Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an extension cord can damage the cord and may result in overheating and fire.
- Plug the cord into a three-prong electrical utility receptacle that is protected by a ground fault detection function. An ungrounded outlet could cause an electric shock.
- Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended extension cord in good operating condition, or using a damaged heater or extension cord, could make it overheat and cause a fire, property damage, electric shock, and injury.
- Do not operate the vehicle with the heater cord permanently attached to the vehicle. Possible heater cord and thermostat damage could occur.
- While in use, do not let the heater cord touch vehicle parts or sharp edges. Never close the hood on the heater cord.
- Before starting the vehicle, unplug the cord, reattach the cover to the plug, and securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from any moving parts.
- Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts.
If you do not it could be damaged.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be used for up to 10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
- Audio System
- Power Windows
The power windows will continue to work for up to 10 minutes or until any door is opened. The radio will work when the key is in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the radio will continue to work for 10 minutes, or until the driver door is opened or the key is removed from the ignition.
Shifting Into Park
- Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9-26.
- Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pressing the button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
- Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
- Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine Running (Automatic Transmission)
Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on page 9-18.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running, be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the brake pedal down. Then see if you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without first pushing the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into Park” previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with a shift lock control. The shift lock control is designed to:
- Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully released.
- Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park) unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock control is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery. See Jump Starting on page 10-64.
To shift out of P (Park):
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
- Press the shift lever button.
- Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park):
- Fully release the shift lever button.
- Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button again.
- Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If the shift lever still cannot be moved from P (Park), see “Shift Lock Manual Release.” The doors may lock when shifting from P (Park). See Automatic Door Locks on page 2-7.
Parking
If the vehicle has a manual transmission, before getting out of the vehicle, move the shift lever into R (Reverse) if parking on a downhill slope. On a level surface or an uphill slope, use 1 (First) gear.
Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn the wheels toward the curb for a downhill slope, or away from the curb for an uphill slope. Once the shift lever has been placed into gear with the clutch pedal pressed in, turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF, remove the key, and release the clutch.
Parking over Things That Burn
Warning
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can burn.
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