• Never shift to either the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position while the vehicle is
moving forward and P (Park) or D
(Drive) position while the vehicle is
reversing. This could cause an acci-
dent or damage the transmission.
CAUTION
• To avoid possible damage to your ve-
hicle; when stopping the vehicle on
an uphill grade, do not hold the ve-
hicle by depressing the accelerator
pedal. The foot brake should be used
for this purpose.
• Except in an emergency, do not shift
to the N (Neutral) position while driv-
ing. Coasting with the transmission
in the N (Neutral) position may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
• WARM UP THE ENGINE – Due to the
higher idle speeds, the engine is cold.
Extra caution must be exercised
when shifting the shift lever into a
driving position immediately after
starting the engine.
The A/T in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled to produce maximum power and
smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures
for this transmission are shown on the fol-
lowing pages. Follow these procedures for
maximum vehicle performance and driv-
ing enjoyment.
Engine power may be automatically re-
duced to protect the A/T if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal before moving the
shift position out of the P (Park) position.
This Automatic Transmission is de-
signed so that the foot brake pedal
must be depressed before shifting
from P (Park) to any driving position
while the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
The shift position cannot be shifted
out of the P (Park) position and into
any of the other positions if the igni-
tion switch is placed in the OFF
position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed
and move the shift lever to a driving
position.
3. Release the parking brake and foot
brake pedal and then gradually start the
vehicle in motion.
WARNING
• Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive) or M
(Manual) range. Always depress the
brake pedal until shifting is com-
pleted. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an
accident.
• Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
• Do not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
• Never shift to either the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position while the vehicle is
moving forward and P (Park) or D
(Drive) position while the vehicle is
reversing. This could cause an acci-
dent or damage the transmission.
Starting and driving 5-19