Starting
Tips for starting
● Do not operate the starter motor continuously for longer
than 15 seconds as this could run the battery down or damage the starter motor. If the engine does not start, turn the ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position, wait a few seconds, and then try again. Trying repeatedly with the engine or starter motor still turning will damage the starter mechanism.
● If the engine will not start because the battery is weak or discharged, refer to “Jump-starting the engine” (on page 6-2) for instructions.
● The engine is warmed up enough for driving when the coolant temperature gauge indicator starts to move. A longer warm up period will only consume extra fuel.
Starting the engine
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel injection system, which automatically controls the release of fuel. There is no need to depress the accelerator pedal when starting the engine. The starter should not be run for more than 15 seconds at a time. To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts to restart the engine.
1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat belts fastened.
2. Insert the ignition key. 3. Make sure the parking brake is applied. 4. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot. 5. Press and hold the clutch pedal all the way down (manual
transaxle). NOTE
● For models equipped with a manual transaxle, the starter will not operate unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed (Clutch interlock). This is a safety feature.
6. On vehicles with manual transaxle, place the gearshift lever in the “N” (Neutral) position. On vehicles with automatic transaxle, make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) position.
WARNING! ● Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up and cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION! ● Do not push-start the vehicle.
● Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm up.
● Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts. Otherwise, the starter motor will be damaged. CAUTION!
Features and controls
7. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position and make cer- tain that all warning lights are functioning properly before starting the engine.
8. Turn the ignition key to the “START” position without pressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key when the engine starts.
NOTE ● Minor noises may be heard on engine start-up. These will
disappear as the engine warms up.
Startability of automatic transaxle vehicle with ambient temperature of -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower
When the ambient temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower, it may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position. This phenomenon occurs because the transaxle has not warmed up sufficiently; it does not indicate a problem. If it occurs, place the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the engine idle for at least 10 minutes. The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor- mally. Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation. Using the MIVEC engine
The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per- formance. NOTE
● To protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over 5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
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