Starting procedures
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt. The starter should not be operated for more than 15- second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING! Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seri- ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key fob in the ignition. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key fob to the START position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the key fob to the OFF position, wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting into 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 Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch briefly to the START position and release it. The starter motor will continue to run but will automatically disen- gage when the engine is running.
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 authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
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.
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.
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” in “What To Do In Emergen- cies” for further information.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not have enough power to continue running when the key fob is released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key fob once the engine is running smoothly. If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15- second 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.
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