Page 73 of 248
Controls and features
73 Spare key programming
A maximum of 8 keys in all can be
coded with any two coded keys.
• Insert the first key in the
ignition switch and turn to position
3.
• Turn the key back to position 1
and remove from the ignition
switch within 5 seconds.
• Insert the second key in the
ignition switch and turn to position
3 within 5 seconds.
• Turn the key back to position 1
and remove from the ignition
switch within 5 seconds - the key
coding mode is now activated.
• If an uncoded key is now
inserted in the ignition switch and
turned to position 3 within 10
seconds, this key is coded to the
system.
If coding is not completed
correctly, the control light flashes
after the ignition is switched on
with the newly coded key. Repeat
the coding process after waiting 20
seconds with the ignition in
position 3.
If keys become lost, you must have
your dealer clear and reprogram
the code for security reasons.
3
4
21
13MCfen 24.6.99 15:07 Uhr Seite 73
Page 83 of 248

Seating and safety restraints
83 Conditions of operation
If the driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position ... The Saftety belt warning light
illuminates for one or two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
four to eight seconds.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding ...The Saftety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position ...The Saftety belt warning light and
warning chime remain off.
If ...Then ...
Belt Minder (if equipped)
The Belt Minder feature is a
supplemental warning to the safety
belt warning function. This feature
provides additional reminders to
the driver that the driver’s safety
Conditions of operation
If the driver’s safety belt is not
buckled approximately 5 seconds
after the safety belt warning light
has turned off...
The belt minder feature is
activated - the Saftety belt warning
light and the warning chime will
cycle at 4 hertz for 6 seconds every
30 seconds, repeating for
approximately 5 minutes or until
safety belt is buckled.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding ...
The belt minder feature will not
activate.
The driver’s safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position ...
The belt minder feature will not
activate.
If ...Then ...
belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating
the Safety belt warning light in the
instrument cluster.
14MSSen 24.6.99 15:15 Uhr Seite 83
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 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 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 119 of 248

Driving
119 TRACTION CONTROL
(if equipped)
This system prevents wheel spin at
all speeds. The control will toggle
this function on and off, but the
feature defaults to on after each
cycle of the ignition key.
The traction control system
controls excessive wheel spin by
automatically applying and
releasing the brakes in conjunction
with engine torque reductions.
This can occur when accelerating
on a slippery road, a loose surface
or when pulling away on a hill. The
traction control lamp flashes on the
instrument panel when the system
is functioning to regulate tire
traction.
When the ignition is turned to the
on position, the traction control
system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds. If
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the on
position or if it remains on when
the traction control system is
turned on, have the system
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician. You
can continue to drive and do not
need to have the vehicle towed in.
You should not take unnecessary
driving risks because of the
system’s safety potential.
22MDren 24.6.99 15:26 Uhr Seite 119
Page 122 of 248

Driving
122
Overriding the brake-shift
interlock feature
If it is necessary to use this
procedure to move the gearshift
lever, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle’s brakelamps
may not be working. Refer to
Fuses
and relaysin the Roadside
emergencieschapter.
If you cannot move the gearshift
lever from P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Turn the ignition off and remove
the ignition key.
2. Apply the parking brake and the
brake pedal.
3. Insert a screwdriver or similar
item about 5 cm (2 inches) into the
square opening to the right of the
gearshift at the base of the console.
4. Rotate the screwdriver point
rearward.
5. Push and hold the thumb button
and move the gearshift.
6. Remove the screwdriver when
the gearshift moves from the P
(Park) position.
The console-mounted gearshift will
lock when you turn the key to the
lock position. When the gearshift is
in any position except P (Park),
the ignition key cannot be turned
to lock or removed from the
steering column. To remove the
key, the gearshift lever must be in
P (Park).Once the gearshift is secure in the
desired position, release the brake
pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.
22MDren 24.6.99 15:26 Uhr Seite 122
Page 129 of 248
Driving
129 Parking
1. Apply the brake and the clutch
and shift into neutral.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).
4. Turn the ignition off.
Do not park your vehicle in
Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
Use 1 (first) gear and set the
parking brake.
Reverse
To shift into R (Reverse):
1. Completely stop your vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal to the
floor and place the gearshift lever
in the neutral position. Do not
release the clutch pedal.
3. If the following direction is not
followed, a grinding noise may
occur.
Wait a minimum of three seconds
before attempting to shift into R
(Reverse) gear.
4. Push the gearshift lever
completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift
lever, and then pull rearward on
the gearshift lever to engage the R
(Reverse) gear.
5. If the R (Reverse) gear is
engaged, slowly release the clutch
pedal from the floor.
1
2
22MDren 24.6.99 15:26 Uhr Seite 129