CONTROLS Starter Switch

The starter switch controls the electrical circuits as soon as the key is put into the ignition. Here are the main functions:

POSITION FUNCTION

Accessories Activates electrical system.

(Acc.)

Lock Locks steering wheel and deactivates the electrical system.

Off Deactivates the electrical system without locking the steering wheel.

On Normal driving position after starting the engine. Also makes it possible to check warning lights and gauges.

Start Starts the vehicle.

Never stop the engine while the vehicle is moving. The power steering and power brakes will no longer work, making steering and braking very difficult.

If the starter switch is placed in the Lock posi-tion by mistake, while driving, the steering wheel would be locked, and you could lose control of the vehicle.

Les Publications du Québec.

Parking Brake

The parking brake keeps the vehicle from moving, without the driver having to do anything. It acts on the rear wheels and is independent of the main braking system. Depending on the vehicle, it can be located between the front seats or near the left foot.

Always keep your right foot on the central brake pedal while engaging or disengaging any type pf parking brake.

Prior to driving the vehicle, make sure the parking brake is disengaged. Before leaving the vehicle, make a habit of engaging the parking brake, even on flat ground.

Gearshift Lever

This lever makes it possible to change from one gear to another, to be in neutral (N) or in reverse (R). It is found both in vehicles with an automatic transmission and those with a standard transmission.

Automatic transmissions shift gears automatically based on vehicle speed or acceleration. On vehicles with a standard transmission, you must use the gearshift lever every time you want to shift gears. You will find a section on vehicles with a standard transmission in Appendix II.

du Québec.

Gearshift lever

on an automatic transmission

Gearshift lever

on a standard transmission

Les Publications du Québec.

Automatic Transmission

For vehicles with an automatic transmission, change gears (P-R-N-D-2-1) using the lever.

Automatic Transmission Table – Lever Position Use P –Park - For starting the engine.

- For locking the steering wheel and the transmission into the Park position.

R – Reverse - For backing up. In this position, the white lights go on at the rear of the vehicle.

N – Neutral - For starting the engine if the vehicle stalls while in motion.

- For emergency braking on an icy surface.

D – Drive - For gears to be shifted automatically.

- For regular driving.

2 – Second Gear - For putting the gear into second (2) and preventing the transmission from changing automatically for city driving or for driving in mountainous terrain.

- For climbing moderate hills.

- For using compression (engine braking) on a moderate grade at moderate speed and preventing brakes from overheating.

1 or L – - For climbing or descending very steep First Gear or Low grades slowly.

- For preventing brakes from overheating when descending steep grades.

du Québec.

TIRES

The tires alone ensure the vehicle’s contact with the road surface.

Good tire traction is essential for vehicle control and passenger safety. The effectiveness of the vehicle’s traction or propulsion, steering, suspension and braking will depend in large part on the condition and wear of the tires.

Choice of Tires

To make the vehicle more stable and safe, use four identical tires, i.e. same construction and size.

For Québec’s winter, it is indispensable to drive with winter tires rather than four-season ones. Avoid driving with winter tires in the summer. They are not designed for summer temperatures and will wear out faster.

Tire Maintenance

The important thing in tire maintenance is to keep the air pressure in your tires at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The air pressure level is indicated on the label inside the door on the driver’s side or in the vehicle’s mainte-nance handbook. The air pressure shown on the tire by the manufacturer is for reference purposes only, and indicates the maximum pressure that must not be exceeded.

Les Publications du Québec.

The vehicle will handle better, consume less fuel and be safer if the tires are inflated properly. Remember:

• A tire with too much pressure has less traction and a higher risk of punctures;

• Insufficient air pressure causes tires to overheat. They could blow and the driver could lose control of the vehicle.

In addition, tires that are not inflated enough can increase fuel consumption. The tires’ service life can be reduced by as much as 15,000 km. Depending on the distance travelled by the vehicle, the driver could use the tires one or two seasons longer by respecting the air pressure level recommended.

• • •• • • • • •• • •

• Check the air pressure in your tires at least once a month;

• Always measure the air pressure when the tires are cool, i.e. when the vehicle has not been operated for at least three hours or for a distance of more than 2 km. The more the tires have heated, the greater their pressure;

• Have the wheels balanced after replacing tires or rims;

• Rotate tires every 10,000 km. That cuts down on the wear and tear, reduces fuel consumption and ensures safe driving with maximum performance.

du Québec.

VISIBILITY FEATURES