
Front Map/Reading Lights
These lights are located between the sun visors. A single
centrally located switch operates both lights.
Battery Saver Feature
To prevent battery drain if a door is left open or ajar, the
interior lights will turn off automatically after 15 minutes.
After the door is closed, the interior lights will return to
their normal function.
Instrument Panel Lighting
With the parking lights or headlights on, rotate the
dimmer control to the left of the speedometer to increase
or decrease brightness of the instrument panel.
Night Security Illumination
For added security when exiting the vehicle after driving
with the exterior lights on, the lights will switch on again
for approximately 30 seconds after closing the last door.
The lights-on timing can be changed at your authorized
dealer.
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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.
MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL LEVER
Turn Signals
Move the multifunction control lever up to activate the
right turn signal; move the lever down to activate the left
turn signal. An arrow on the inside of the speedometer
will flash to indicate operation.
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing
lanes, move the control lever just to the point of resis-
tance, and hold it there.
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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 war-
ranty.
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.
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.
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Using Speed Control On Hills
Your vehicle is equipped with interactive speed control.
This feature activates when driving up or down hills with
the speed control engaged and the driver’s foot off the
accelerator.
WARNING!
Speed control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
On a downgrade or an upgrade, downshifting will occur
automatically to allow the engine’s braking power to
maintain the set speed. When more level roadway is
reached, the transmission will automatically upshift to
fifth gear.
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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 89
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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.
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).
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

After approximately 10 seconds, a signal sounds and
the display shows 7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000 km) for
approximately 10 seconds.
5. Release the knob/button.
If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, have an
authorized dealer correct it.
The message is displayed for approximately 10 sec-
onds when turning the key to the ON/RUN position,
or while driving when reaching the service warning
threshold. It can be canceled manually by pressing the
knob/button.
Once the suggested term has passed, the message plus
either the symbol for Service A or the symbol for
Service B preceded by a–(minus symbol) blinks for
approximately 30 seconds and a signal sounds every
time when turning the key to the ON/RUN position.
The FSS display can also be called up for approxi-
mately 10 seconds with the display illuminated by
pressing the knob/button twice within one second.Following a completed A or B service your authorized
dealer sets the counter to 7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000
km).
NOTE:When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or
more days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any
such days not counted by FSS can be added by your
authorized dealer.
The interval between services is determined by the type
of vehicle operation. Driving at extreme speeds, and cold
starts combined with short distance driving in which the
engine does not reach normal operating temperature,
reduce the interval between services.
However you choose to set your reference numbers, the
scheduled services as posted in the Service Booklet must
be followed to properly care for your vehicle.
23. Outside Temperature Display
The temperature display is located on the left side of the
instrument cluster, below the fuel and engine tempera-
ture gauges.
106 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Climate Control - OFF
To switch the climate control off, set the air volume
control switch to position 0. The fresh air supply to the
vehicle interior is shut off. While driving, use this setting
only temporarily, otherwise the windshield could fog up.
Rear Window Defroster
Turn the key in the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position. To select, press the rear
window defroster button once and release. The
indicator light in the switch should illuminate.
To cancel, press the rear window defroster button again
and release.
NOTE:Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed before activating the defroster. The rear win-
dow defroster uses a large amount of power. To keep the
battery drain to a minimum, turn off the defroster as soon
as the window is clear. The defroster is automatically
turned off after a maximum of 12 minutes of operation.If several components in the vehicle are consuming
power simultaneously, or the battery is only partially
charged, it is possible that the defroster will automati-
cally turn itself off. When this happens, the indicator light
inside the switch starts blinking. As soon as the battery
has sufficient voltage, the defroster automatically turns
itself back on.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors, do not
use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abrasive window
cleaners on the interior surface of the rear window.
Labels can be peeled off by soaking with warm
water.
124 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Recirculation/REST
This mode can be selected to temporarily re-
duce the entry of annoying odors or dust into
the vehicle’s interior. Outside air does not flow
into the vehicle’s interior. To select, press the
recirculation button. To cancel, press the recirculation
button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated
air to fresh air after approximately five minutes at
outside temperatures below approximately 40°F(5°C);
after approximately 30 minutes, at outside temperatures
above approximately 40°F(5°C); after approximately five
minutes, if the A/C button is pressed.
At high outside temperatures, the system automatically
engages the recirculated air mode for approximately 30
minutes, thereby increasing the cooling capacity perfor-
mance. Press the recirculation button again to extend the
recirculated air mode.
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST)
With the engine switched off, it is possible to
continue heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume is controlled automatically. Select a
temperature for each side of the passenger
compartment. Set the air distribution control switch to
the desired position.
To select, turn the key in the ignition switch to the ACC
or the OFF/LOCK position or remove. Press the recircu-
lation button. The indicator light in the button illumi-
nates. This function selection will not activate if the
battery charge level is insufficient.
To cancel, press the recirculation button. The indicator
light in the button goes out. The system will automati-
cally shut off if you turn the key in the ignition switch to
the ON/RUN position, after approximately 30 minutes,
or if the battery voltage drops.
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