STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING! Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seri- ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the keys in the ignition. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any driving range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be pressed to shift out of PARK. Tip Start Feature
Turn the ignition switch to START position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Normal Starting NOTE: Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the START position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F or –29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail- able from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
• Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
• 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 dis- charged 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 dan- gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start- ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further information.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the “Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess fuel, in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION! To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not have enough power to continue running when the key is released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel- erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running smoothly. If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15 sec- ond periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de- crease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord. The engine block heater cord is located at the right front of the engine compartment for all engine applications. The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING! Remember to disconnect the engine block heater cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause electrocution.
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