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To Turn On the Passenger Airbag:
•Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key counterclockwise, and remove the key from the
switch. This will turn on the passenger airbag. The
Passenger Airbag Off light on the console will turn off,
or will not be illuminated when the ignition is turned
to the ON position.
WARNING!
The airbag may malfunction and serious injury
could result if key is left in the airbag shut off
switch. Always remove the key.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the airbag covers. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is dan-
gerous to try to repair any part of the airbag
system yourself. Don’t try to repair the airbag
system. Be sure to tell anyone who works on your
vehicle that it has airbags.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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2. Make sure the decklid is closed.
CAUTION!
Be sure to turn the ignition to the “ON/RUN”
position before releasing the top from the wind-
shield header. The windows will not go down if the
top is released from the header without the ignition
turned “ON”. The side windows can be damaged if
the doors are opened or closed with the windows up
and the top released from the winshield header.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position.
4. Unlock the top from the windshield header by push-
ing the latch handle release button, pulling the latch
handle down and turning it clockwise one quarter turn.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 55
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Page 58 of 288
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position and
press down on the front of the convertible top switch.
4. If the windows are raised, they will lower as soon as
the convertible switch is pressed down. The tonneau
cover will open, and the top will then close until it
reaches approximately 8 inches (200 mm) from the
header. The tonneau cover will then close and the rear of
the top will close and latch. At the completion of this
cycle, a single audible signal will sound.NOTE:If the top is latched to the windshield header
before the rear of the top is properly latched, an udible
warning will sound.
5. Push the latch handle release button, pull the latch
handle down from the storage position and turn it
clockwise just over one quarter turn.
6. Pull the latch handle and convertible top down to
engage the top with the header.
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Glove Compartment
To lock the glove compartment, turn the key to the right
and remove. To unlock, turn the key to the left and
remove.
Pull on the handle to open the glove compartment.
CUPHOLDER
The cupholder is located in the console. To open the
cupholder, gently press downward on the front edge of
the top panel, and then release. The cupholder will open
automatically.
When the cupholder is no longer needed, push forward
on the top edge of the door and rotate it down into the
console until it engages.
The cupholder is designed to hold beverage containers
up to 20 oz. (1 L).
CAUTION!
Only use containers that fit into the cupholder.
Overfilled containers could spill during vehicle ma-
neuvers.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 65
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Page 85 of 288

BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (BAS)
WARNING!
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of
the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
The BAS is designed to maximize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system applies maximum power boost to the brakes
more quickly in emergency braking conditions than
might otherwise be afforded solely by the driver’s brak-
ing style. This can help reduce braking distances. TheBAS complements the antilock brake system (ABS). Ap-
plying the brakes very quickly results in maximum BAS
assistance. To receive the benefit of the system, you must
apply continuous full braking power during the stopping
sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
The malfunction indicator lamp for the Electronic Stabil-
ity Program is combined with the BAS. The yellow
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light in the instrument
cluster and the yellow ESP warning light in the speed-
ometer dial come on with the key in the ignition switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
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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
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Page 90 of 288
To Vary The Speed Setting
If a set speed needs to be adjusted slightly, lift up or hold
down the speed control lever briefly until the desired
speed is reached. A single tap on the lever up or down
will change the speed in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increments.
When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
To increase the speed for passing, use the accelerator.
After the accelerator is released, the previously set speed
will resume automatically.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, or normal brake pressure
while slowing the vehicle, will deactivate the speed
control without erasing the memory. Pushing the speed
control lever forward or turning the key in the ignition
switch to the OFF/LOCK position will turn off the speed
control and erase the memory.
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
The instrument cluster displays are activated by either
opening the door, pressing the left button within the
cluster, or turning the key in the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Low Windshield Washer System Fluid Level
Warning Light
With the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, the indicator light
comes on. It should go out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator light does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, the fluid reservoir
is less than
1 4filled.
The reservoir should be refilled at the next opportunity
with commercially available premixed windshield
washer solvent/antifreeze or water, depending on ambi-
ent temperature.
The reservoir for the windshield washer system is located
in the engine compartment and the cap is marked with
the above symbol.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 99
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