Page 67 of 248

Controls and features
67 Fuel pump shut-off switch
For information on the fuel pump
shut-off switch, refer to Fuel
pump shut-off switch in the
Roadside emergencies chapter.
Positive retention floor mat
Position the floor mat in the
footwell. Place the mat eyelet over
the pointed end of the retention
post from the rear and rotate
forward to install. Adjust the floor
mat position to allow proper
operation of accelerator pedal,
brake pedal and clutch pedal (if
equipped).
To remove, lift the floor mat just
forward of the retention post and
rotate it rearward to disengage it
from the retention post.
Keep vehicle doors and
luggage compartment locked
and keep keys out of a child’s
reach. Unsupervised children
could lock themselves in an open
trunk and risk injury. Children
should be taught not to play in
vehicles.
On hot days, the
temperature in the trunk or
vehicle interior can rise very
quickly. Exposure of people or
animals to these high
temperatures for even a short time
can cause heat-related injury or
death. Small children are
particularly at risk.
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:07 Uhr Seite 67
Page 71 of 248
Controls and features
71 PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
(if equipped)
The Passive Anti-Theft system
(PATS) is an engine immobilization
system. It is an additional theft
protection feature that prevents
the engine from being started
unless a coded key is used..
This system is only available with
2.5 litre engines.
OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWER AUDIO AM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 31245ANSSIDE 1-2EJECTVOLUME
12 3
00
0
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0
PH
120
14 0
160
18 0
200
EF
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
CLOCK
Automatic arming
The system is armed five seconds
after switching off the ignition.
The armed status is indicated when
the control light flashes every
two seconds.
Automatic disarming
Switching on the ignition disarms
the system if the correct code is
recognized.
Keys
Your vehicle is supplied with two
coded keys.
Only these keys can be used to
start your vehicle.
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:07 Uhr Seite 71
Page 79 of 248

Seating and safety restraints
79 Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically prelocked; however,
the belt will react to remove any
slack in the shoulder belt.
The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver’s safety belt.
When to use the automatic
locking mode
• When a tight lap and shoulder
belt fit is desired.
• Any time a child safety seat is
installed in the vehicle. For
information on the proper use of a
child safety seat, refer to Child
safety seatslater in this chapter.
Vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the
normal retractor mode which locks
the belts in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the
driver brakes suddenly, turns a
corner sharply or your vehicle
receives an impact of 8 km/h
(5 mph) or more the combination
safety belts will lock to help reduce
the forward movement of the
driver and passengers.
The retractor can be made to lock
by pulling sharply on the belt.
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Page 84 of 248

Seating and safety restraints
841. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position (DO NOT START THE
ENGINE).
2. Wait until the Saftety belt
warning light turns off
(approximately one minute).
• Steps 3-5 must be completed
within 60 seconds or the procedure
will have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety
belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled. This can be
done before or during Belt Minder
warning activation.
4. Turn on the headlamps, turn off
the headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety
belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
• After step 5, the Saftety belt
warning light will be turned on for
three seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the
Saftety beltwarning light turning
off, buckle then unbuckle the
safety belt.
• This will enable Belt Minder if it
is currently disabled, or disable
Belt Minder if it is currently
enabled.
To reduce the risk of injury,
do not deactivate/activate
the Belt Minder feature while
driving the vehicle.
Deactivating/activating the Belt
Minder feature
The Belt Minder feature can be
deactivated/activated by
performing the following
procedure:
Before following the procedure,
make sure that:
• the parking brake is set.
• the gearshift is in P (Park)
(automatic transaxle) or the
neutral position (manual
transaxle).
• the ignition switch is in the OFF
position.
• all vehicle doors are closed.
• the driver’s safety belt is
unbuckled.
• the parklamps/headlamps are in
OFF position.
14MSSen 24.6.99 15:15 Uhr Seite 84
Page 87 of 248
Seating and safety restraints
87 Important supplemental
restraint system (SRS)
precautions
The supplemental restraint system
(SRS) is designed to work with the
safety belt to help protect the
driver and right front passenger
from certain upper body injuries.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
MIRRORS
OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWER AUDIO AM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 31245ANSSIDE 1-2EJECTVOLUME
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0MPH20 406055
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
200EF12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINEO/D
OFF
CLOCK
TRACTION
TROLCH
Always transport children
12 years old and under in
the back seat and always use
appropriate child restraints.
All occupants of the vehicle
including the driver should
always properly wear their safety
belts even when air bag SRS is
provided.
NHTSA recommends a
minimum distance of at least
25 cm (ten [10] inches) between
an occupant’s chest and the air
bag module.
14MSSen 24.6.99 15:15 Uhr Seite 87
Page 112 of 248
Starting
112
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle:
• Make sure the parking brake is
set.
• Push the clutch pedal to the
floor. Otherwise, the engine will not
crank (turn over).
• Put the gearshift into neutral. If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transaxle:
• Make sure the parking brake is
set.
• Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
21MSten 24.6.99 15:23 Uhr Seite 112
Page 113 of 248
Starting
113 3. Turn the key to the on position
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
• If the driver’s safety belt is
fastened the safety belt warning
light does not illuminate.
BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
Alternative design
Alternative design
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
21MSten 24.6.99 15:23 Uhr Seite 113
Page 114 of 248
Starting
114STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to the start
position (4) without pressing the
accelerator pedal and release as
soon as the engine starts. The key
will return to the on (3) position.
3
4
21
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below -12°C (10°F), depress the
accelerator pedal and start the
engine while holding the
accelerator pedal down. Release
the accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
Vehicles equipped with the 2.0 l
engine: If the engine fails to start,
continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that
position until the engine starts.
DO NOT crank for more than
30 secondsor you could damage
the starter.
4. After idling the engine for a few
seconds, apply the brake pedal and
release the parking brake.
21MSten 24.6.99 15:23 Uhr Seite 114