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.
Seat 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, see your authorized dealer.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for
four 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 pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing 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 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 fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
NOTE:Use of the air conditioning may cause puddles
of water to form under the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2
To Open And Close The Hood.............70
Interior Lights.........................71
▫Front Map/Reading Lights...............72
▫Battery Saver Feature...................72
▫Instrument Panel Lighting................72
▫Night Security Illumination...............72
Exterior Lights.........................73
▫Headlights And Parking Lights............73
▫Daytime Running Lights (Where Applicable) . . .73
▫Fog Lights...........................74
▫Standing Lights.......................74
Multifunction Control Lever...............75
▫Turn Signals..........................75
▫Headlight Dimmer Switch................76
▫Passing Light.........................76
▫Windshield Wipers And Washer............77▫Mist Function.........................78
Telescoping Steering Column..............79
Tire Pressure Monitor System..............80
Rear Spoiler...........................82
Brake Assist System (BAS)................85
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)...........86
▫Synchronizing ESP.....................88
Electronic Speed Control..................88
▫To Vary The Speed Setting................90
▫To Deactivate.........................90
▫To Resume Speed......................91
▫Using Speed Control On Hills.............91
Garage Door Opener....................92
▫Programming The Universal Transceiver......92
▫Gate Operator/Canadian Programming......95
▫Using The Universal Transceiver...........95
50 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:The standard TIREFIT system (refer to What To
Do In Emergencies for more information) is specifically
designed to operate in conjunction with the TPM system,
and will not damage the sensors.
If your tire pressure is low, you should correct your tire
inflation pressure as soon as possible and inspect all of
your tires. Low tire pressure will cause the tire pressure
light to illuminate and the alert will sound. They will
remain on for the rest of the driving cycle, or until the tire
pressure is corrected.
In addition to monitoring tire pressures, the TPM system
also monitors faults within the system. If the TPM light
and alarm continue after the tire pressure has been
corrected, see your authorized dealer.
This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules and with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.NOTE:Changes and modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
REAR SPOILER
CAUTION!
Do not push or pull on the spoiler when deployed.
Damage to the spoiler could result.
A rear spoiler enhances vehicle stability. The rear spoiler
deploys automatically when vehicle speed reaches ap-
proximately 62 mph (100 km/h). The spoiler begins to
retract at 39 mph (62 km/h). When retracted, the spoiler
fits between the quarter panels, and aft of the liftgate
window or tonneau cover.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum 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
cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H,” pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H,” turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant.
If your temperature gauge pointer is in the red area,
turn off the engine immediately. You may want to
call an authorized dealer for service. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 173
6
The Flexible Service System (FSS) in your vehicle evalu-
ates engine temperature, oil level, vehicle speed, engine
speed, distance driven, and the time elapsed since your
last service. It determines when your vehicle needs
maintenance service and alerts you in advance. The next
necessary service is indicated by the FSS in your instru-
ment cluster.
NOTE:Also see the FSS system details in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section of this manual.
Very light duty driving cycles (most trips more than 10
miles [16 km] at moderate speeds in moderate tempera-
ture conditions) can extend the service interval beyond
7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000 km).
IfANYof the following apply to your driving, the oil
change interval can be reduced significantly:
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C)
•Stop-and-go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
•Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)
Observe the oil change interval indicated by your FSS
system. This system will monitor the driving conditions
seen by your vehicle, and will recommend the best
interval for servicing your vehicle to maintain it in top
condition.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
7
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and at every
engine oil change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
218 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Cavity Fuse Circuits
9 10 Amp
RedRoof Light, Horn, Anti-Theft
Alarm, Cargo Lamp and Tire
Pressure Control
10 5 Amp
BeigeSpeed Control
11 15 Amp
BlueIgnition Coil 6 Cyl.
12 10 Amp
RedHeated Washer Nozzles
13 Spare
14 10 Amp
RedDiagnostic Socket
15 5 Amp
BeigeResidual Engine Heat Utilization
16 30 Amp
GreenWiper Motor
17 40 Amp
OrangeElectronic Stability Program
18 40 Amp
OrangeElectronic Stability ProgramCavity Fuse Circuits
19 40 Amp
OrangePower Window, Front
20 10 Amp
RedSpoiler Motor
21 30 Amp
GreenSeat Adjustment Right Side
22 30 Amp
GreenSeat Adjustment Left Side
23 15 Amp
BlueSound Booster (Amplifier)
24 30 Amp
GreenSeat Heater
25 20 Amp
YellowPneumatic Control Unit, Rear
Window Defroster
26 20 Amp
YellowCentral Locking
30 Spare (Coupe)
30 15 Amp
BlueRadio (Roadster)
31 15 Amp
BlueCigar Lighter, Glove Compart-
ment Light
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231
7
Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Automatic Transmission Only use ATF approved to MB 236.10, MB 236.12. Synthetic Dexron III
Transmission Fluid may be substituted.
Brake Master Cylinder Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with:
minimum dry boiling point (ERBP) 500°F (260°C), minimum wet boiling
point (WERBP) 356°F (180°C), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s,
conforming to FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Clutch Fluid Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with:
minimum dry boiling point (ERBP) 500°F (260°C), minimum wet boiling
point (WERBP) 356°F (180°C), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s,
conforming to FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Manual Transmission Fluid No fluid service required. Only use fluid approved to MB 236.2. SAE
5W-20 engine oil, meeting API SL or GF-3, may be substituted.
Power Steering Reservoir No fluid service required. Filled at the factory with Pentosin CHF 11S.
Steering noise and reduced component life may result if an unapproved
fluid is used.
Rear Axle Fluid Only use synthetic SAE 75W-85 axle lubricant that meets MB 231.1.
Reduced axle durability may result if an unapproved product is used.
Tire Pressure Refer to label on driver’s door frame.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 245
7