Enable/Disable Trunk Press and Hold:
The transmitter can be programmed to unlatch the trunk
immediately upon activation of the Trunk button (with-
out pressing and holding) by performing the following
procedure:
1. Press and hold the Unlock button on the transmitter.
2. Continue to hold the Unlock button, wait at least 4 but
no longer than 10 seconds, then press the Trunk button.
3. Release both buttons.
Panic Alarm
The panic alarm unlocks the driver’s door, turns on the
interior lights, flashes the foglights and sounds the horn
for about 3 minutes or until the alarm is turned off. The
vehicle can be driven while in the Panic mode.
To Use The Panic Alarm:
Press and hold the Panic button to activate the alarm.
Press and hold the Panic button or unlock the door with
the key to deactivate the alarm. The alarm will also shut
itself off after 3 minutes or when vehicle speed reaches 15
m.p.h. (24 km/h).
To Program Additional Transmitters:
Up to 4 transmitters can be programmed to your vehicle.
To program a transmitter, perform the following proce-
dure.
On vehicles equipped with an EVIC (Electronic Vehicle
Information Center), these functions can be selected at
the EVIC using the Customer Programmable Features.
Refer to EVIC— Customer Programmable Features for
details.
NOTE:When entering program mode, all previously
programmed transmitters are erased from memory,
therefore you must reprogram ALL the transmitters
when you enter program mode.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
then turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in
any part of the system, it turns on the light either
momentarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
•When the airbag control module detects an impact
requiring the front airbags, it signals the inflator units.
A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The
airbags fully inflate in about 60 milliseconds. This is
only about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. The airbags then quickly deflate while helping to
restrain the driver and right front passenger. The
driver’s front airbag gas is vented towards the instru-
ment panel. The passenger’s front airbag gas is ventedthrough vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way the airbags do not interfere with your control of
the vehicle.
•The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees and
position you for the best interaction with the airbags.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the airbag
control module detects a moderate-to-severe frontal col-
lision, to help restrain the driver and right front passen-
ger, and then to immediately deflate.
NOTE:A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and right
front passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new vehicle does not require a long
break-in period.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The crankcase oil installed in the engine at the factory is
a high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with expected climate con-
ditions under which vehicle operations will occur. The
recommended viscosity and quality grades are in Section
7 of this manual.
Do not use non-detergent or straight mineral oils.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and not an indication of a problem.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
•To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the trunk while driving. However, if for some reason it
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2
must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Automatic system off, turn the headlight switch clock-
wise, to the off position.
The engine must be running before the headlights will
come on in the automatic mode.
NOTE:The Automatic Headlight System will turn on
the headlights if it detects that the windshield wipers
have been in operation for more than 10 seconds.
NOTE:Your 300M Special vehicle may be equipped
with high intensity headlights (HID). When first turned
on these lights take on a blue hue for about 15 seconds
after which they brighten to a clear light.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for about 90 seconds when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area. For vehicles equipped with Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), this is customer pro-
grammable to Off, 30, 60, or 90 seconds. (See the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) section of this
manual.)To activate the delay, turn off the ignition while the
headlights are still on. Then turn off the headlights within
45 seconds. The delay interval begins when the ignition is
turned off.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will go off in the normal manner.
Battery Saver Feature
If an exterior light is left on when the ignition switch is
moved to the Off position, it will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes. Normal operation will resume when the
ignition is turned On or when the headlight switch is
turned to another position.
Fog Lights
Turn the headlight switch to any ON position,
then pull out the headlight switch knob to turn on
the fog lights. A light near the switch will illumi-
nate to show that the Fog Lights are On.
NOTE:Turning on the high beam headlights will turn
off the fog lights. Fog light operation will resume when
the high beams are turned off and the lights return to the
low beam, parking light, or automatic positions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 67
3
If the pointer rises to the “H” mark, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.
CAUTION!
Continuing to drive with an overheated engine cool-
ing system can cause damage to the engine or other
components.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
16. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control systems. Thelight will illuminate when the key is in the ON
position before engine start. If the bulb does not come
on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap or
poor fuel quality may illuminate the light after engine
start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on
through several of your typical driving cycles. In most
situations the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
17. Trip Odometer Reset Knob
To reset the trip odometer, push the reset knob for about
two seconds.
18. Airbag Light
The light will come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch
is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit during starting,
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115
4
SETTING THE ANALOG CLOCK
To set the analog clock at the top center of the instrument
panel, press and hold the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons
until the setting is correct.
ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK
When the radio is on, pressing the TIME button will
allow you to select between displaying actual time con-
tinuously or information related to the mode which the
radio is in (i.e. in Radio mode, the radio frequency is
displayed.)
When the radio is off, time will not be displayed unless
the TIME button is pressed, and then the time will only
be displayed for 5 seconds. This function will operate
with the ignition switch in either the on or off positions.
You can ask your dealer to enable the digital clock to be
displayed continuously when the radio is off and the
ignition switch is on.
Clock Setting Procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON or ACC position.
Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object, press
either the hour (H) or minute (M) buttons on the radio.
The display will show TIME.
2. Press the H button to set hours or the M button to set
minutes. The time setting will increase each time you
press a button.
RADIO GENERAL INFORMATION
Radio Broadcast Signals
Your new radio will provide excellent reception under
most operating conditions. Like any system, however, car
radios have performance limitations, due to mobile op-
eration and natural phenomena, which might lead you to
believe your sound system is malfunctioning. To help
you understand and save you concern about these “ap-
parent” malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
118 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Power Switch, Volume Control
Press the ON/VOL control to turn the radio on. Turn the
volume control clockwise to increase the volume. The
volume will be displayed and continuously updated
while the button is pressed.
Seek Button (Radio Mode)
Press and release the Seek button to search for the next
station in either the AM or FM mode. Press the top of the
button to seek up and the bottom to seek down. Holding
the button will by pass stations until you release the
button.
Tuning
Press the TUNE control up or down to increase or
decrease the frequency. If you press and hold the button,
the radio will continue to tune until you release the
button. The frequency will be displayed and continu-
ously updated while the button is pressed.
PTY (Program Type) Button
Pressing this button once will turn on the PTY mode for
5 seconds. If no action is taken during the 5 second time
out the PTY icon will turn off. Pressing the PTY button
within 5 seconds will allow the program format type tobe selected. Many radio stations do not currently broad-
cast PTY information.
Toggle the PTY button to select the following format
types:
Program Type Radio Display
Adult Hits Adlt Hit
Classical Classicl
Classic Rock Cls Rock
College College
Country Country
Information Inform
Jazz Jazz
Foreign Language Language
News News
Nostalgia Nostalga
Oldies Oldies
Personality Persnlty
Public Public
Rhythm and Blues R & B
Religious Music Rel Musc
120 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL