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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For vehicles with manual transmission:
The set speed control is switched off when declutching
exceeds four seconds during downshifting. In some
cases, you may have to step on the brake pedal to slow
down sufficiently to achieve the desired speed.
NOTE:On very steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain
may occur. It may be preferable to drive without speed
control.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER
The HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver replaces up to
three remote controls (hand-held transmitters) that oper-
ate devices such as garage door openers, motorized
gates, or home lighting. The transceiver triggers these
devices at the push of a button. The transceiver operates
off your vehicle’s battery and charging system: no bat-
teries are needed.
For additional information on HomeLink, call 1–800–
355–3515, or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
WARNING!
A moving garage door can cause injury to people and
pets in the path of the door. People or pets could be
seriously or fatally injured. Only use this transceiver
with a garage door opener that has a “stop and
reverse” feature, as required by federal safety stan-
dards. This includes most garage door opener mod-
els manufactured after 1982. Do not use a garage
door opener without these safety features, as it could
cause injury or death. Call toll-free 1–800–355–3515
or, on the internet at www.homelink.com for safety
information and assistance.
Programming The Universal Transceiver
For best results, install a new battery in the hand-held
transmitter before programming. If your garage door
opener (located in the garage) is equipped with an
antenna, make sure that the antenna is hanging straight
down.
1. Turn off the engine.
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
Vehicle exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a danger-
ous gas. Do not run the vehicle’s engine while
programming the transceiver. Exhaust gas can cause
serious injury or death.
WARNING!
Your motorized door or gate will open and close
while you are programming the universal trans-
ceiver. Do not program the transceiver if people or
pets are in the path of the door or gate. A moving
door or gate can cause serious injury or death to
people and pets or damage to objects.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position.
3. Erase the factory test codes by pressing the two
outside buttons. Release the buttons when the light in the
overhead console display begins to flash (about 20 sec-
onds).
NOTE:Step 3 does not have to be followed to program
additional hand-held transmitters.
4. Choose one of the three buttons to program. Place the
hand-held controller 1–3 inches (25–76 mm) from the
universal transceiver while keeping its indicator light in
view.
5. Using both hands, press the hand-held transmitter
button and the desired universal transceiver button. Do
not release the buttons until Step 6 has been completed.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 93
3
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
4
WARNING!
Do not overfill the washer reservoir. Do not attempt
to fill to the top of the filler neck. Fluid may leak out
onto the floor or driveway causing a potential slip
and fall hazard. When the indicator light first illu-
minates, the maximum fill amount is 1 Gallon (4
Liters).
2. Low Tire Pressure Indicator Light
The tire pressure monitor (TPM) system uses
wireless technology to monitor tire pressure
levels. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as
part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
If the light is illuminated, the pressure in one of the tires
on the vehicle has dropped to at least 25% below the
recommended pressure on the vehicle’s tire label. Addi-
tionally, the indicator light will illuminate if a fault has
been detected in the TPM system.
CAUTION!
The TPM system is designed to monitor your tire
pressure and will not function as a tire pressure
gauge. After adjusting the air pressure in a tire, there
will be a delay before the system updates the dis-
play.
NOTE:The TPM system can inform you about a low
tire pressure condition, but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. The TPM system is not intended to provide
you with notification of rapid pressure loss.
NOTE:The pressure in your tires changes with tem-
perature. A significant decrease in temperature could
reduce cold inflation pressure below the TPM setpoint.
ALWAYScheck the pressure in your tires if the TPM
lamp is illuminated.
100 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
3. Coolant Indicator Light
This indicator illuminates when the engine
coolant has dropped below the required
level in the reservoir or the coolant tempera-
ture is too high (see the Temperature gauge
section).
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked on
level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when the coolant is cold.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don’t open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radia-
tor or coolant bottle is hot.
4. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows engine coolant temperature. Any read-
ing between the Hot and Cold gauge marks show that the
engine cooling system is operating properly. The gauge
pointer may show a higher temperature when driving in
hot weather, up mountain grades, or in heavy stop-and-
go-traffic.
If the pointer rises to the red (Hot) area, 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.
5. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is in the ON/RUN position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the tank.
The arrow to the right of the gas pump symbol shows
which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 101
4
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
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. This can be done by turning
the ignition switch to START. The light should come on.
If the red brake light does not come on when the ignition
is turned to the ON/RUN position, have the brake light
repaired promptly.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
The brake warning light will come on if the ABS light is
not functioning and there is an ABS system malfunction.
11. Light Outage Indicator
With the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, an 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, it indicates a failure in the parking light,
taillight, stoplight, or low beam headlight.
The indicator light will come on when the exterior light
fails. If a brake light fails, the light outage indicator will
come on when applying the brake and stays on until the
engine is turned off.
NOTE:If additional lighting equipment is installed
(e.g., auxiliary headlights, etc.) be certain to connect into
the fuse before the failure indicator monitoring unit in
order to avoid damaging the system.
12. Antilock Warning Indicator Light
The ABS warning indicator light comes on
with the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, and should go out
with the engine running.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 103
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