
3-17
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
When the engine restarts, the sport mode
is turned to the off automatically.
The sport mode is suitable for the following
driving conditions:
• Driving on hilly, winding roads
– You can drive more smoothly with less
frequent gear changing
• Going down a steep hill
– Some engine braking is provided
Gearshift lever
68PH00313
(1) Knob button
The gearshift lever is designed so that it
cannot be shifted out of the “P” position
unless the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position and the brake pedal is depressed.
The gearshift lever has a lock mechanism
to help prevent accidental shifting. To shift
the gearshift lever:
NOTE:
• Always shift the gearshift lever without
pushing in the knob button (1) except
when you shift from “P” to “R”, from “D”
to “L”, from “N” to “R” or from “R” to “P”. If
you always push in the knob button (1)
when shifting the gearshift lever, you
could shift into “P”, “R” or “L” by mistake.
• If driver’s or passenger’s knee hits the
gearshift lever while driving, the lever
could move and the gear could be
changed unexpectedly.
Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle
from stop. Make sure that vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting into
Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling.
WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift.
Shift with the knob button (1)
pushed in and the brake pedal
depressed.
Shift with the knob button (1)
pushed in.
Shift without the knob button (1)
pushed in.
NOTICE
Do not shift the gearshift lever into
“R” while moving forward, or the
transaxle may be damaged. If you
shift into “R” when the vehicle speed
is over 10 km/h (6 mph), the transaxle
will not shift into reverse.