THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys................. 9
▫Keys............................... 9
▫Obtaining Replacement Keys..............10
▫Ignition Key Removal...................10
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................10
Glove Compartment Lock.................11
Door Locks...........................11
▫Central Locking Switch..................12
▫Automatic Central Locking...............13
▫General Notes On The Central Locking System .13
▫Emergency Unlocking Feature.............14▫Start Lockout.........................14
Remote Keyless Entry....................14
▫To Unlock The Doors...................14
▫To Lock The Doors.....................15
▫Panic Alarm..........................15
▫To Use The Panic Alarm.................16
▫General Information....................16
▫Transmitter Battery Service...............16
Security Alarm System...................17
▫Tow-Away Alarm......................18
Decklid Internal Emergency Release
- Roadster
............................19
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Obtaining Replacement Keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be ob-
tained from your authorized dealer.
Important!
Removing the key from the steering lock activates the
start lock-out. The engine cannot be started.
Turning the key in the steering lock to the ON/RUN
position deactivates the start lock-out.
NOTE:In case the engine cannot be started, and START
and ERROR are shown in the odometer display field, the
system is not operational. Contact an authorized dealer.
Ignition Key Removal
Turn the key to the LOCK position and remove the key.
NOTE:For vehicles with automatic transmissions, if
you try to remove the key before you place the shift lever
in PARK, the key may become trapped temporarily in the
key cylinder. If this occurs, turn the key clockwise
slightly, then remove the key as described.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The doors can be unlocked by pulling on the inside door
handle, pressing and releasing the top portion of the
central locking switch located in the console, or by
pressing and releasing the Unlock transmit button on the
key fob. Both doors can also be unlocked by turning the
key counterclockwise in the driver’s door.
NOTE:If the key in the ignition switch is in the
ON/RUN position, the vehicle cannot be locked or
unlocked with the remote control.
When you lock the vehicle, both door lock buttons
should move down. If either one stays up, the respective
door is not properly closed. You should then unlock the
vehicle, open and reclose the door, and lock the vehicle
again.
Each individual door can be locked with the respective
door lock button - the driver’s door can only be locked
when it is closed. If the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside, only the door being opened
from the inside will unlock, and the alarm will come on.
The other door, the rear liftgate/decklid, fuel filler door,
and center console (roadster only) will remain locked.
NOTE:In case of a malfunction in the central locking
system, the doors can be locked and unlocked individu-
ally. To lock, turn the key in the driver’s door lock
clockwise, or push down the lock buttons. To unlock,
turn the key in the driver’s door lock counterclockwise,
or pull the inside door handles.
WARNING!
For personal security and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors as you drive and
when you park and leave the vehicle.
Central Locking Switch
The central locking switch is located in the console. The
doors and rear liftgate/decklid can only be locked with
the central locking switch if both doors are closed.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the remote
control or key, the doors and rear liftgate/decklid cannot
be unlocked with the central locking switch. If the vehicle
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
•Remove the old batteries.
•Insert the new batteries in the direction of the arrow
with the positive symbol facing upwards.
•Replace the battery cover and press on it until you feel
it engage.
NOTE:Only replace the batteries in pairs.
The system may have to be resynchronized if the trans-
mitter is without voltage for several minutes. To synchro-
nize, aim the transmitter eye at the vehicle and briefly
press either the Lock or the Unlock button twice. Withinapproximately 30 seconds, insert the key in the ignition
and turn it to the ON/RUN position. The remote control
should once again be operational.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM
The system monitors the doors, rear liftgate/decklid,
hood, and ignition for unauthorized operation. The se-
curity alarm system is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control or any of your vehicle’s keys by
locking or unlocking the vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately 10
seconds after locking the vehicle. A blinking light in the
tow away alarm switch indicates that the alarm is armed.
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lights will flash and an alarm will sound when a
door, the rear liftgate/decklid, the hood, or the glove
compartment is opened, or if someone attempts to raise
the vehicle for towing. The alarm will flash the exterior
lamps for approximately three minutes and sound an
audible alarm for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even
if the activating element is immediately closed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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DECKLID INTERNAL EMERGENCY RELEASE -
ROADSTER
As a security measure, a Decklid Internal Emergency
Release lever is built into the decklid latching mecha-
nism. In the event of an individual being locked inside
the trunk, the decklid can be easily opened by pulling on
the glow-in-the-dark handle attached to the decklid
latching mechanism. See picture.
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk by
climbing into the trunk from outside. Always close
the decklid when your vehicle is unattended. Once
in the trunk, young children may not be able to
escape. If trapped in the trunk, children can die from
suffocation or heat stroke.
WARNING!
If the battery voltage drops below the minimum
threshold during the convertible top operation, the
Trunk Internal Emergency Release will not function.
WARNING!
The Trunk Internal Emergency Release will not
function during the convertible top operation. How-
ever, if access to the trunk is required during the
convertible top operation follow the procedure be-
low.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy only in moderate
to severe front collisions. In certain types of collisions,
both the front and side airbags may be triggered. But
even in collisions where the airbags work, you need the
seat belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags
to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. Infants in rear-facing child safety seats shouldNEVER
ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger frontal
airbag unless the airbag is shut OFF. See“Passenger
Airbag On/Off Switch”and“To Shut Off the Passenger
Airbag.”The rear-facing seat places them too close to the
passenger air bag in the event of a crash. An airbag
deployment can cause severe injury or death to infants in
this position.
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see section on“Child Restraint”) should
be secured in child safety seats or booster seats that are
appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight.Older children who do not use child safety seats or
booster seats should ride properly buckled. Never allow
children to place the shoulder belt behind them or under
the arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the vehicle,
move the seat as far back as possible, shut off the
passenger airbag, and use the proper child restraint. See
the section on“Child Restraint.”
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint or belt-positioning booster seat to make
sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder belts
properly.
3. The driver and passenger seats should be moved back
as far as practical to allow the front airbags room to
inflate.
4. Do not lean against the door, as the side airbags will
inflate forcefully into the space between you and the
door. (See the section on“Side Airbags.”)
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for
your protection in case of a collision. While the
airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the
system immediately.
•The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the four seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the four second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
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WARNING!
•A rearward facing infant restraint must not be
used unless the passenger airbag has been shut
off. A rearward facing infant restraint may be
struck by a deploying passenger airbag which
may cause severe or fatal injury to the infant.
•Improper installation can lead to failure of a child
restraint. It could come loose in a collision. The
child could be badly injured or killed. Follow the
manufacturer’s directions exactly when installing
a child restraint.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the seat
manufacturer’s directions.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants and cause
serious personal injury.
NOTE:For additional information refer to
www.seatcheck.org.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs. (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for children
who weigh 20 to 40 lbs. (9 to 18 kg) and who are older
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
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