Starting the engine

CAUTION
Always wear appropriate shoes when operating your vehicle.

Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski boots,etc.) may interfere with your ability to use the brake and accelerator pedal, and the clutch (if equipped).

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift the transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch pedal depressed while turning the ignition switch to the start position. The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.

Automatic Transaxle - Place the transaxle shift lever in P (Park).

Depress the brake pedal fully.

You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in the N (Neutral) position.

3. Turn the ignition switch to START and hold it there until the engine starts (a maximum of 10 seconds), then release the key.

4. In extremely cold weather (below -18°C / 0°F) or after the vehicle has not been operated for several days, let the engine warm up without depressing the accelerator.

Whether the engine is cold or warm, it should be started without depressing the accelerator.

CAUTION - Stall
If the engine stalls while you are in motion, do not attempt to move the shift lever to the P (Park) position. If traffic and road conditions permit, you may put the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicle is still moving and turn the ignition switch to the START position in an attempt to restart the engine.

NOTICE
Do not engage the starter for more than 10 seconds. If the engine stalls or fails to start, wait 5 to 10 seconds before re-engaging the starter.

Excessive or improper use of the starter may damage it.

The starter will not operate if: • Manual Transaxle - the clutch pedal is not fully depressed.

• Automatic Transaxle - the shift lever is NOT in the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position.

    See also:

    Emission control system
    The emission control system of your vehicle is covered by a written limited warranty. Please see the warranty information contained in the Warranty & Maintenance booklet in your vehicle. Your ...

    Brake system
    Power brakes Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage. In the event that the power-assisted brakes lose power because of a stalled engine or some oth ...

    If the engine will not start
    If engine doesn't turn over or turns over slowly 1. If your car has an automatic transaxle, be sure the shift lever is in N (Neutral) or P (Park) and the emergency brake is set. 2. Check the bat ...