Shift your gear selector to Park (P) or Neutral (N). Your engine won't start in any other position -- that's a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving, use Neutral (N) only.

Notice: Shifting into P (Park) with the vehicle moving could damage the transmission. Shift into P (Park) only when your vehicle is stopped.

The gear selector should be in Neutral (N) and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down - that's a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving, use Neutral (N) only.

1. Make sure the fan control switch and the rear window defroster are off before starting your engine, especially in cold weather. Turning off these electrical accessories will ensure maximum battery capacity for starting.
2. Don't push the accelerator pedal before starting your engine. In other vehicles you might need to do this, but because of your vehicles electronic fuel injection system you don't, unless the temperature outside it extremely cold or your vehicle is flooded.
3. Turn your ignition key to "START." When the engine starts, let go of the key. When the engine is cold, it will initially run at a higher than normal speed (sometimes referred to as high idle). The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm.
4. If it doesn't start right away, try again but only hold the ignition to start for 15 seconds at a time. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery.
5. When your engine has run about 10 seconds to warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don't race your engine when it's cold. If the weather is below freezing, let the engine fun for a few minutes to warm up.

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.

6. If your engine still won't 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 a maximum of 15 seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, push the accelerator pedal slightly. Now turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator pedal. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
7. If your engine stalls, restart it as explained earlier. If it stalls often, have the engine checked by your retailer as soon as possible.

When your vehicle is first started, you may hear the secondary air pump emit a high-pitch sound for a short period of time. This is normal operation for your vehicle.

When starting your engine in very cold weather (below 5°F or -15°C) do this:

Before you crank the engine, push and hold the accelerator pedal slightly. Then turn you ignition key to Start. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator pedal.

Notice: Refer to Towing Your Vehicle in the Preface section.