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Fog Lights
To operate the fog lights, pull the headlight
switch out one stop, with the parking lights
and/or low beam headlights on. A light to the
lower left of the headlight switch will illumi-
nate when the fog lights are on.
To turn off the fog lights, push the headlight switch in
fully. Selecting high beam headlights will also turn off the
fog lights.
Standing Lights
When the vehicle is parked on the street, the standing
lights (left or right side parking lights) can be turned on,
making your vehicle more visible to passing vehicles.To operate the standing lights, turn the headlight switch
counterclockwise one stop (right lamps) or two stops (left
lamps) from the OFF position. To turn off the standing
lights, return the headlight switch to the OFF position.
The standing lights cannot be operated when the ignition
switch is in the ON/RUN position.
CAUTION!
Standing lamps are intended for short term use
when parking. If these lights are left on for a long
period of time, your car’s battery may drain, causing
a possible starting problem. Assure that the head-
lamp switch is in the OFF position when leaving the
vehicle.
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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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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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.
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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.
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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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
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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.
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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
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