Page 91 of 248
Seating and safety restraints
91 Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a
secondary warning light to indicate
the condition of the system. Refer
to the Air bag readinesssection in
the Instrumentationchapter.
Routine maintenance of the air bag
is not required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
• The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.
• The air bag secondary warning
light will flash five times. The
pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem or the readiness
light is repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
CHECK
ENGINE
14MSSen 24.6.99 15:16 Uhr Seite 91
Page 108 of 248
Starting
108
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
A computer system controls the
engine’s idle revolutions per minute
(rpm). When the engine starts, the
idle rpm runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed
does not slow down automatically,
have the vehicle checked by your
dealer or a qualified service
technician. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
21MSten 24.6.99 15:23 Uhr Seite 108
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 120 of 248

Driving
120STEERING YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle comes with power
steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the
power steering system checked. If
the power steering system breaks
down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle
manually but it takes more effort.
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or left for more
than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the
power steering pump. Switching off traction control
If you become stuck in snow or on
a slippery road surface, try
switching off the traction control
system by pressing the switch. This
may allow the excess wheel spin to
“dig“ the vehicle out or enable a
successful “rocking“ maneuver. Do
not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes, because it could
damage the vehicle.
The light in the control illuminates
continuously when the system has
been switched off. To reactivate
the system, depress the switch
again or restart the engine.
22MDren 24.6.99 15:26 Uhr Seite 120
Page 142 of 248
Roadside emergencies
142
If your engine cranks but does not
start after a collision or substantial
jolt:
1. Turn the ignition key to the off
position.
2. Check under the vehicle for
leaking fuel.
3. If you do not see or smell fuel,
push the red reset button down. If
the button is already set, you may
have a different mechanical
problem.
4. Turn the ignition key to the on
position for a few seconds, then
turn it to the off position.
5. Check under the vehicle again
for leaking fuel. If you see or smell
fuel, do not start your vehicle
again. If you do not see or smell
fuel, you can try to start your
vehicle again.
If you see or smell fuel, do
not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department
or a towing service.
23MREen 24.6.99 15:28 Uhr Seite 142
Page 143 of 248

Roadside emergencies
143 Even after a fuse is replaced, it will
continue to blow if the cause of the
overload is not identified and
corrected. If the fuse continues to
blow, have the vehicle’s electrical
system checked by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
To reset a circuit breaker press the
reset button.
The passenger compartment fuse
panel is located on the driver’s side
under the instrument panel. The
power distribution box is located
on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment.
They contain the main fuses and
the main relays. The circuits
protected are identified by
numbers on the passenger
compartment fuse panel and inside
the cover on the power distribution
box.
FUSES AND RELAYS
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire. Check
the appropriate fuses before
replacing any electrical
components.
Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse with
higher amperage rating can cause
severe wire damage and could
start a fire.
23MREen 24.6.99 15:28 Uhr Seite 143
Page 144 of 248
Roadside emergencies
144
1
Power distribution box
To check or replace a fuse or a
relay, remove the cover of the fuse
box in the engine compartment by
releasing the latch (1) and lifting
up.
A blown fuse can be identified by a
break in the wire.
All fuses are a push fit.
Five reserve fuses with different
current ratings are located in the
power distribution box.
111213141516
R6R5R4R3R2
10
123456789
R1R7R8
R9R10
R11 D1
D2
17
18
4647
4849 5051 52
394041
424344
45
Always replace the cover to
the Power Distribution Box
before reconnecting the battery or
refilling fluid reservoirs.
23MREen 24.6.99 15:28 Uhr Seite 144
Page 146 of 248
Roadside emergencies
146Passenger compartment fuse
panel
To check or change a fuse or a
relay, open the fuse box by pulling
down the lock release lever (1).
1
Power distribution box (engine compartment)
RelayCircuits switched
R 1
R 2
R 3
R 4
R 5
R 6
R 7
R 8
R 9
R 10
R 11
D1
D2
Fuel pump
EEC module
Air conditioning
Low beam
High beam
Horn
Starter solenoid
Engine cooling fan (high speed)
Engine cooling fan
Not used
Daytime running lights
Reverse voltage protection
Not used
23MREen 24.6.99 15:28 Uhr Seite 146