Starting

Tips for starting

• Do not operate the starter motor continuously longer than 10 seconds; doing so could run down the battery. If the engine does not start, turn the ignition switch back to “LOCK”, wait a few seconds, and then try again. Trying repeatedly with the starter motor still turning will damage the starter mechanism.

• [For diesel-powered vehicles] While the vehicle is stationary with the clutch pedal fully depressed, the engine revolutions do not rise to over 3,000 rpm in order to protect the engine even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.

WARNING

• Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle in or out of the area. Carbon monoxide gases are odourless and can be fatal.

CAUTION

• Never attempt to start the engine by pushing or pulling the vehicle.

• Do not run the engine at high rpm or drive the vehicle at high speed until the engine has had a chance to warm up.

• Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts to avoid damaging the starter motor.

Starting the engine (petrol-powered vehicles)

[For vehicles equipped with keyless operation system]

For information on operations for vehicles equipped with the keyless operation system, refer to “Keyless operation system: Starting”.

[Except for vehicles equipped with keyless operation system]

The starting procedure is as follows:

1. Insert the ignition key and fasten the seat belt.
2. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. Fully depress the clutch pedal (M/T).
5. On vehicles equipped with M/T, place the gearshift lever in the “N” (Neutral) position.

On vehicles equipped with CVT, make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) position.

NOTE

• On vehicles with CVT, the starter will not operate unless the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.

For safety reasons, start the engine in the “P” (PARK) position so that the wheels are locked.

6. After turning the ignition key to the “ON” position, make certain that all warning lamps are functioning properly before starting the engine.

7. Turn the ignition key to the “START” position without depressing the accelerator pedal, and release it when the engine starts.

NOTE

• Minor noises may be heard on engine startup.

These will disappear as the engine warms up.

Starting the engine (diesel-powered vehicles)

[For vehicles equipped with keyless operation system]

For information on operations for vehicles equipped with the keyless operation system, refer to “Keyless operation system: Starting”.

[Except for vehicles equipped with keyless operation system]

1. Insert the ignition key and fasten the seat belt.
2. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. Fully depress the clutch pedal (M/T).
5. Place the gearshift lever in the “N” (Neutral) position.

6. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position.

The diesel preheat indication lamp will first illuminate, and then after a short time go out, indicating that preheating is completed.

NOTE

• If the engine is cold, the diesel preheat indication lamp is on for a longer time.

• When the engine has not been started within about 5 seconds after the diesel preheat indication lamp went out, return the ignition key to the “LOCK” position. Then, turn the key to the “ON” position to preheat the engine again.

• When the engine is warm, the diesel preheat indication lamp does not come on even if the ignition key is placed in the “ON” position.

Start the engine by turning the ignition key right to the “START” position.

7. Turn the ignition key to the “START” position without depressing the accelerator pedal, and release it when the engine starts.

NOTE

• Minor noises may be heard on engine startup.

These will disappear as the engine warms up.

Using the MIVEC engine

The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake- valve control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine performance.

NOTE

• To protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be selected while the engine coolant temperature is low.

Fuel injection amount learning process (diesel-powered vehicles)

To keep exhaust emissions and engine noise low, the engine very occasionally performs a learning process for the fuel injection amount.

The engine sounds slightly different from usual while the learning process is taking place. The change in the engine sound does not indicate a fault.