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 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 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 109 of 248
Starting
109 IMPORTANT VENTILATION
INFORMATION
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (1 inch).
OFF PLN/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEFFLR
DEF
MAX
A/C
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning to bring in fresh air.
Do not start your vehicle in a
closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the
engine. See Guarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
21MSten 24.6.99 15:23 Uhr Seite 109
Page 111 of 248
Starting
111
PREPARING TO START THE
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
When starting the engine, avoid
pressing the accelerator pedal
before or during starting. Only use
the accelerator pedal when you
have difficulty starting the engine.
For more information on starting
the vehicle, refer to Starting the
enginein this chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
21MSten 24.6.99 15:23 Uhr Seite 111
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