Starting the Engine

WARNING

• Always wear appropriate footwear when operating the vehicle. Inappropriate footwear (high heels, ski boots, etc.) may interfere with your ability to use the brake pedal, accelerator pedal, and clutch (if equipped).
• Do not start the vehicle with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle may move and cause an accident.
• Wait until the engine idle speed is normal. The vehicle may move suddenly if the brake pedal is released when engine speed is high.

NOTICE

Kickdown Mechanism (if equipped)

If your vehicle is equipped with a kickdown mechanism in the accelerator pedal, it prevents you from accidentally operating at full throttle by requiring the driver to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal. However, if you press the pedal beyond approximately 80%, the vehicle may go to full throttle and the accelerator pedal will be easier to depress. This is not a malfunction but a normal condition.

Starting the Gasoline Engine

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Manual transmission: Fully depress the clutch pedal and shift the transmission to neutral. Keep the clutch pedal and brake pedal depressed when turning the ignition switch to the START position. Automatic transmission: Place the shift lever in P (Park). Fully depress the brake pedal. You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in N (Neutral).

3. Turn the ignition key to the START position and hold it there until the engine starts (maximum 10 seconds), then release the key. Begin with the accelerator pedal gently pressed.

4. Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the vehicle is stationary. Start driving at moderate engine speed. (Avoid rapid acceleration and deceleration.)

Manual transaxle

• When starting the vehicle, keep the clutch and brake pedals depressed, check that the engine speed is within the permissible range, and place the shift lever in the required position.
• Release the parking brake, release the clutch pedal, depress the accelerator pedal, and move the vehicle off smoothly.

CAUTION

If the engine stalls while the vehicle is moving, do not attempt to shift the transmission into P (Park). If road and traffic conditions permit, you may shift to N (Neutral) while the vehicle is still moving, then turn the ignition switch to the START position to attempt to restart the engine.

CAUTION

• Do not operate the starter motor for more than 10 seconds. If the engine stalls or does not start, wait 5 to 10 seconds before engaging the starter again. Improper use of the starter may damage it.
• Do not turn the ignition key to the START position while the engine is running. This may damage the starter.