Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To find out how, see Shifting Into
Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, then
you will be able to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in RUN. See Automatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-19.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever — press the shift lever button
and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P),
as you maintain brake application. Then move the
shift lever into the gear you wish.
Shift Interlock By-Pass
Use the following steps, if for some reason the shifter is
not released when you apply the brake, or if service
or towing requires the car to be shifted out of PARK (P)
without running the engine.
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to the ACC (Accessory) position.
See Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-19
for more information.
3. Then, move the shift lever into NEUTRAL (N).
The vehicle can now be started normally.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and firmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition key to LOCK,
remove the key and release the clutch.
See Manual Transaxle Operation on page 2-22.
2-26