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
2
A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
You can insert the double-sided keys into the locks with
either side up.
The dealer that sold you your new vehicle has the key
code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can
be used to order duplicate keys only from an authorized
dealer. Ask your dealer for these numbers and keep them
in a safe place.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
NOTE:To avoid discharging the battery, the key must
be removed from the ignition when the vehicle is parked.
Keys
Included with your vehicle are two remote controls with
folding keys. The remote control operates all locks on the
vehicle, including the locking fuel filler door.
To release the key from the folded position, press the
button. The key unfolds from the fob.
The transmitter for the remote control is located in the
key fob.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 9
2
was previously locked with the central locking switch,
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a door is opened
from the inside.
NOTE:The fuel filler door and center console (roadster
only) cannot be locked or unlocked with the central
locking switch.
Automatic Central Locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking feature. With the automatic central lock-
ing feature activated, the doors and rear liftgate/decklid
are locked at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph (15
km/h) or more; however, the fuel filler door remains
unlocked.
To activate this feature, turn the key to the ON/RUN
position and hold the upper portion of the switch for a
minimum of five seconds. To deactivate, turn the key to
the ON/RUN position and hold the lower portion of the
switch for a minimum of five seconds.
NOTE:If the doors are unlocked with the central
locking switch after activating the automatic centrallocking feature and neither door is opened, the doors
remain unlocked even at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
NOTE:If you attempt to lock the doors with the key in
the ignition and the driver’s door open, the doors will not
lock.
General Notes On the Central Locking System
If the key in the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN
position, the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with
the remote control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked at any time
with the remote control, it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the remote.
NOTE:To help prevent the vehicle battery from dis-
charging during short periods of inactivity, perform the
following:
1. Make sure that the rear liftgate/decklid, hood and
doors are completely closed.
2. Make sure that remote transmitter is operating and
that the battery is good.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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To Use the Panic Alarm:
Press and hold the Panic button to activate the alarm.
Press and hold the Panic button or unlock the door with
the key to deactivate the alarm. The alarm will also shut
off after three minutes or when vehicle speed reaches 15
mph (24 km/h).
General Information
This transmitter complies with FCC rules part 15. Opera-
tion is subject to the following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement Lithium battery is Pana-
sonicCR 2025 or equivalent.
To change the batteries:
•Press release button (2) on the key fob. The key folds
out.
•Press the battery cover (1) in the direction of the arrow.
16 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
2
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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
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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