The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down -- that is a safety feature.

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm.

Notice: Holding the key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause the battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage the starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining the battery or damaging the starter.

2. If it does not start, wait about 15 seconds and try again to start the engine by turning the ignition key to START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.

When your engine has run about 10 seconds to warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not race your engine when it is cold.

If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C), let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.

3. If your engine still will not start or starts but then stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.

Notice: The engine is designed to work with the electronics in the vehicle. If electrical parts or accessories are added, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.