Starting the engine

Before starting the engine:

1. 1
   Make sure the parking brake is fully applied.
2. 2
   With manual transmission: move the shift lever to neutral and fully depress the clutch pedal. Hold it in this position while starting the engine.

   With automatic transmission: shift to "P" (park) or "N" (neutral). ("P" is preferred. If it is necessary to start the engine while driving, shift to "N".)

NOTE: Vehicles with automatic transmission have a starter interlock that prevents the starter from operating when the transmission is in any drive position.

• Release the starter as soon as the engine starts running to avoid damaging it.
• Do not crank the engine with the starter for more than 5 seconds at a time. If the engine does not start on the first attempt, wait 5-10 seconds before trying again.

When starting a cold engine on models with electronic fuel injection and 1.6 L carburetor models:

• With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by turning the key to "START". Release the key when the engine starts.
• If the engine does not start after cranking for 3 seconds, wait about 10 seconds, then try again with your foot off the accelerator pedal. Pressing the accelerator is not necessary to start the engine.
• (Electronic fuel injection models only) If the engine still does not start, try holding the accelerator pedal fully depressed while cranking the engine. This should effectively clear the engine if it is flooded.

1.0 L/1.3 L carburetor models:

• Slowly depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and release.
• Without holding the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by turning the key to "START". Release the key when the engine starts.
• Once the engine has warmed up and the idle speed has stabilized, lightly press and release the accelerator pedal to reduce the idle speed.

In very low temperatures (below -18°C), or if the vehicle has not been started for several days, press and release the accelerator pedal two or three times before cranking the engine with the starter. Then turn the key to "START" and crank the engine with the starter, with your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Starting a warm engine, 1.61 models with electronic fuel injection / 1.01/1.31 models: Press the accelerator pedal down about 1/3 of its travel and turn the key to the "START" position to crank the engine. When the engine starts, release the key and the accelerator pedal.

1.61 carburetor models: Use the same procedure as for "Starting a cold engine".