Air flow
The air that is drawn into the passenger compartment is distributed from 14 ventilation points.
Air vents in door pillars
Air vents in door pillars
A Open
B Closed
C Horizontal air flow
D Vertical air flow
Direct the air vents toward the rear side windows to demist.
Direct the air vents toward the rear seat for the best heating/cooling effect.
pg. 47 Climate control system - general information
Condensation on the inside of the windows
Keeping the insides of the windows clean will help reduce the amount of condensation that forms on the windows. Use
a commercial window cleaning agent to clean the windows.
Ice and snow
Always keep the air intake grille at the base of the windshield free of snow.
ProCarManuals.com
pg. 49 Electronic Climate Control (ECC)
AUTO
This function automatically regulates the Electronic Climate Control system so that the selected temperatures are
maintained. The blower, heating, air distribution (air flow) and air conditioning are controlled. If you prefer to
manually set any of these functions, the remaining functions will still be controlled automatically. Pressing the AUTO
button overrides any settings that were previously made manually.
Temperature
These controls are used to individually set the temperature for both sides of the passenger compartment. Please note
that the compartment will not be heated or cooled faster by setting the temperature higher or lower than necessary. Set
the control to the temperature you prefer.
Defroster
This function demists/de-ices the windshield and front side windows. The LED in the switch will light up to indicate
that the defrost function is engaged. Blower speed increases automatically and the air in the passenger compartment is
dehumidified. Recirculation will not function while defrost is engaged.
Heated rear window/sideview mirrors
ProCarManuals.com
This function demists/de-ices the rear window and sideview mirrors. The LED in the switch will light up to indicate
that the heating function is engaged. See page 38 for additional information on this function.
CAUTION:
Never use ice scrapers made of metal as they can easily scratch the mirror surface.
pg. 50 Electronic Climate Control (ECC) - manual settings
Recirculation (see also page 48)
Press this switch to engage the recirculation function (air in the passenger compartment recirculates - no fresh air
enters the compartment). The LED in the switch will light up to indicate that the function is engaged.
Use this function if the outside air is contaminated with exhaust gases, smoke, etc or to heat/cool the car quickly.
Recirculation should not be used for more than 15 minutes. If your windows begin to fog or mist, make sure that the
recirculation function is switched off.
Selecting Defroster automatically switches recirculation off.
Timer mode activation: (Cars with Interior Air Quality system have no timer mode) Press and hold the recirculation
button for at least 3 seconds to activate a recirculation timer mode. The amber LED in the recirculation button will
flash 5 times to show that the timer mode is being activated. In the timer mode, each time the recirculation button is
pressed, the climate control system will recirculate the air in the passenger compartment for 5-12 minutes, depending
on the outside air and then revert back to fresh air.
Timer mode deactivation: Press and hold the recirculation button for at least 3 seconds. The amber LED in the
recirculation button will illuminate steadily for 5 seconds to show a return to "normal" mode.
In normal mode, when the recirculation button is pressed, the climate control system will recirculate the air in the
passenger compartment until the recirculation button is pressed again.
Timer mode memory: If the car is turned off while timer mode is active, timer mode will still be active when the
car is restarted.
Heated front seats (option)
Please see page 38 for more information on this function.
Press AUTO to automatically regulate air flow or press any combination of the controls shown in the illustration to
manually adjust air flow. An LED in the switch will light up if an air flow control has been pressed.
Air conditioning ON/OFF
ProCarManuals.com
This function demists/de-ices the rear window and sideview mirrors. The LED in the switch will light up to indicate
that the heating function is engaged. See page 38
for additional information on this function.
CAUTION:
Never use ice scrapers made of metal as they can easily scratch the mirror surface.
Recirculation
Recirculation can be used to shut out stale air, exhaust, etc. from the passenger compartment. The air in the passenger
compartment is then recirculated, i. e. no air from outside the car is taken into the car when this function is activated.
Recirculation (together with the air conditioning system) cools the passenger compartment more quickly in warm
weather.
If you allow the air in the car to recirculate, there is a risk of icing and fogging, especially in winter. The timer function
minimizes the risk of ice, misting and stale air.
Activate the timer function as follows:
Press for more that 3 seconds. the LED flashes for 5 seconds. the air recirculates in the car for 3-12 minutes
depending on the outside temperature.
The timer function is activated each time you press .
To switch off the timer function :
Press again for more than 3 seconds. The LED lights for 5 seconds to confirm your selection.
Recirculation is always disconnected when you select Defroster
.
Blower
Blower speed can be increases or decreased by turning the knob. If the knob is set to 0, the air conditioning function is
automatically disengaged.
Temperature
Turn the control to set the temperature for the driver's and passenger's sides of the car. For cooler air, the air
conditioning function must be engaged.
Air distribution
ProCarManuals.com
starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.
4. To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed. While keeping firm pressure on the brake pedal, release the parking
brake.
5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE:
Your car is equipped with a KEYLOCK system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must be in the
( P )ark position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
* Your car is equipped with an electronic start inhibitor (immobilizer). The keys you received with your car are
specially coded. The code in the key is transmitted to an antenna in the ignition switch where it is compared to the
code stored in the start inhibitor module. The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used.
If two of the keys to your car are close together, e.g., on the same key ring, when you try to start the car, this could
cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the car not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the
keys from the key ring before trying to start the car again.
pg. 88 Starting the engine
CAUTION:
The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh engagement and premature transmission wear.
Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods time will help prevent overheating of the automatic
transmission fluid.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
WARNING!
Always place the gear selector in Park and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the car
unattended with the engine running.
Always open garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous.
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and the clutch to catch. Check that the
movement of the accelerator pedal and clutch is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be
used at one time.
pg. 89 Manual transmission
ProCarManuals.com
that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Speed-sensitive power steering
(Option on certain models)
With this feature, the steering is most responsive at lower speeds to make parking, driving in city traffic, etc., easier.
The effect of the power steering diminishes as you accelerate for greater stability at highway speeds.
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk
of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavier the load on the rear of
the vehicle (e.g., heavily loaded (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg) cargo area or when towing a trailer, the less the tendency to
understeer.
pg. 97 Points to remember
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off
the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into,
or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into neutral.
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed)
until the temperature begins to drop.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
If necessary, see page 133
and 136 for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.
CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the
engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper
than 1 foot (300 mm). See the flood warning on page 7
.
WARNING!
ProCarManuals.com
Hazard warning flashers38
Head restraint (center) - 3-section rear seat64
Head restraint - center rear3
Headlight bulbs - replacing122
Headlight wiper blades - replacing142
Headlights34
Heated front seats38
Heated rear window38
Heated sideview mirrors38
Heating48-51
Hoisting the car135
Holder for grocery bags67
Home Safe System76
HomeLink®169-171
Hood - opening136
I
Ignition switch35, 36
Immobilizer (start inhibitor)76, 87
Indicator lights28, 29
Inflatable curtain (IC)9
Instrument illumination34
Instrument panel27
Instruments26
Integrated booster cushion12
Interior Air Quality system51
Interior features - overview24
Interior lighting74
J
Jack72
, 114
Jump starting104
K
Key - removing from ignition switch87
Keyless entry system77, 78
Keyless entry system - replacing batteries78
Keylock87
Keys76
Kickdown91, 92
L
Label information144
License plate lights - replacing126
Lifting the car135
Lights - accessory31
Load carriers98
Locking and unlocking the car76
ProCarManuals.com