
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off the ESP system by pressing the upper half of
the ESP switch.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable. ESP al-
ways operates under braking, even with the switch in the
OFF position. If one drive wheel loses traction and begins
to spin, the brake is applied by the ESP system until thewheel regains sufficient traction. The traction control
engages at approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and
switches off at 50 mph (80 km/h).
If the ESP warning light begins to flash during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle
as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions. When the ESP warning light is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is switched off. To
return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP,
press the lower half of the switch (the ESP warning light
in the speedometer dial goes out). Avoid spinning one
drive wheel. This may cause serious damage to the drive
train and is not covered by the DaimlerChrysler warranty.
CAUTION!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in the ignition switch to
the OFF/LOCK or ACC position). Otherwise the ESP
will immediately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery discon-
nected or discharged), the BAS/ESP malfunction indica-
tor light may be illuminated with the engine running. To
re-synchronize the ESP, and cancel the malfunction indi-
cator light, the steering angle sensor will need to be
recalibrated.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
2. Rotate the steering wheel to the center position.
3. Rotate the steering wheel completely to the left, and
then rotate the steering wheel completely to the right.
4. Bring the steering wheel back to the center position.
5. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light will go out.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light is still illumi-
nated, the vehicle should be serviced at an authorized
dealer.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
The electronic speed control automatically maintains the
set speed by actively regulating the throttle setting. Any
speed above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) can be
maintained with the electronic speed control by operat-
ing the lever.
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Reprogramming a Single Button
To program a device using a universal transceiver button
previously programmed, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired universal transceiver but-
ton. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds.
Without releasing the universal transceiver button, pro-
ceed with Programming Step 4.
Security
If you sell your vehicle, be sure to erase the frequencies.
To erase all of the previously programmed frequencies,
hold down both outside buttons until the light begins to
flash.
This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules and with
RS-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 or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
HomeLinkis a trademark owned by Johnson Controls,
Inc.
UMBRELLA HOOK
Your Crossfire is equipped with an umbrella hook. This
feature is located behind and between the two seats, just
above the map pocket.
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

6. Turn Signal Indicators
To signal minor directional changes, such as
changing lanes, move the multifunction con-
trol lever to the point of resistance only and
hold it there. The arrows will flash in unison
with the corresponding exterior turn signal.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the mul-
tifunction control lever past the point of resistance up or
down. The switch is automatically canceled when the
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.
The arrows in the instrument cluster will flash in unison
with the respective exterior turn signal.
7.Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
The yellow ESP indicator light in the speedom-
eter dial comes on with the key in the ignition
switch turned to the ON/RUN position. It
should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP indicator light flashes during acceleration,
apply as little throttle as possible. While driving, ease up
on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions, and do not switch off the ESP.
8. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles-per-
hour and kilometers-per-hour.
9. Tachometer
This gauge shows engine speed in revolutions-per-
minute (RPM) times 1,000.
The red markings on the tachometer indicate excessive
engine speed. Ease off on the accelerator before reaching
the red area.
10. Brake System Warning Light
The dual brake system provides a reserve
braking capability if a failure occurs in a
portion of the hydraulic system.
This light monitors both the brake fluid level and the
parking brake. If the light comes on, it indicates either
that the parking brake is on or there is a low fluid level in
the brake master cylinder. Since this vehicle is equipped
with anti-lock brakes (ABS), the brake light may also
indicate reduced braking performance due to the loss of
electronic brake proportioning. If the parking brake is off
and the light remains on, have the brake system in-
spected as soon as possible.
102 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the ABS warning indicator light comes on while the
engine is running, it indicates that the ABS has detected
a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without an-
tilock assistance.
If the ABS light is on, have the system checked at your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
13. Brake Assist Indicator Light
The indicator light for the Brake Assist Sys-
tem (BAS) is combined with the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP). This yellow indica-
tor light in the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in the ignition switch turned to the ON/RUN
position. The BAS/ESP warning indicator light also
comes on when a malfunction is detected in either the
Brake Assist System or the Electronic Stability Pro-
gram. It should go out with the engine running. If the
BAS/ESP indicator light comes on continuously, see
an authorized dealer as soon as possible.14. Seat Belt Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition, the light comes
on, and a warning sounds for a short time if
the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt indicator light
blinks and a chime sounds periodically for up to 90
seconds to remind the driver and passenger to fasten the
seat belts. Fastening the seat belts will extinguish the
light and silence the chime.
The seat belt indicator light will remain lit until the seat
belts are fastened.
15. Charging System Indicator Light
Should the charging system indicator light
fail to come on prior to starting when the key
is in the ignition switch in the ON/RUN
position, or should it fail to go out after
starting or during operation, it indicates a malfunction
that must be repaired immediately at an authorized
dealer.
104 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

AM-AM AS
The system has two AM modes available. Press the AM
button repeatedly until the band or operation mode is
selected. To search in this mode, press the right rotary
control/push button and the abbreviation SC is dis-
played. Receivable stations can be heard for eight sec-
onds. Press the control again to keep the received station.
Once the scan search begins, it will continue until either
a station is retained or until another mode is selected.
Tuning AM stations – Rotating the right rotary control to
the right or left will change the AM frequency to the next
higher or lower station with a strong signal. To manually
step through each frequency or tune in a station with a
weaker signal, press the MAN button first, and then
rotate the rotary control right or left.
Storing AM stations – 10 frequencies can be stored on AM
by pressing a multifunction button for three seconds; a
tone will confirm that the selection was set.
AM AS – An autostore feature will store the 9 current
stations with the strongest signal on station buttons 1-9 in
the order of their signal quality. Press the AM buttonrepeatedly until AM AS is displayed to perform an
autostore scan. Press the multifunction button labeled AS
repeatedly until AS-SEEK is displayed. To select the
stored stations, press the 1-9 buttons.
General Information
This radio 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 received,
including interference that may cause undesired opera-
tion.
NOTE:Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
CD Player Operation
To activate the CD function, press the CD button; CDS is
shown in the display. If no CD disc is present, the display
briefly shows NO CDS and the radio mode remains
active.
116 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........146
▫Synchronizing ESP....................147
▫ESP Control Switch....................148
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............149
▫Brake Pad Break-In....................152
Power Steering........................152
Ti re s................................153
▫Tire Pressure.........................153
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................154
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................156
▫Tire Spinning........................156
▫Tire Pressure Monitor System.............157
▫Tire Chains..........................158
▫Original Equipment Tires................158
▫Snow Tires..........................159▫Tread Wear Indicators..................160
▫Replacement Tires.....................160
▫Tire Rotation Recommendations...........162
▫Alignment And Balance.................163
Fuel Requirements.....................164
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................164
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............165
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................165
▫Materials Added To Fuel................166
▫Sulfur In Gasoline.....................166
Adding Fuel..........................166
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............166
Vehicle Loading.......................168
▫Roof Luggage Rack....................168
Trailer Towing........................169
130 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Manual Transmission
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially on an incline. To place the transmis-
sion in REVERSE, lift up on the shifter knob, push it to
the left and pull it back.
STARTING AND OPERATING 133
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