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WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This manual containsWARNINGSagainst operating
procedures which could result in an accident or bodily
injury. It also containsCAUTIONSagainst procedures
which could result in damage to your vehicle. If you do
not read this entire manual you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is located be-
neath the left front corner of the instrument panel, visible
through the windshield. This number also appears on the
Automobile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a
window on your vehicle. Save this label as a convenient
record of your vehicle identification number and optional
equipment.
6 INTRODUCTION
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▫Opening The Decklid During Top Operation . . .20
Power Windows........................21
▫Power Window Operation With The
Convertible Top Switch (Roadster Only)......22
Rear Liftgate/Decklid Release..............22
Occupant Restraints.....................22
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.....................23
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women............28
▫Seat Belt Extender......................28▫Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag . .29
▫Child Restraint........................39
Engine Break-In Recommendations..........46
Safety Tips............................47
▫Exhaust Gas..........................47
▫Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle..............................47
▫Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle....................48
8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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POWER WINDOWS
The power window switches are located in the console.
To operate, turn the key in the ignition switch to the ACC
or ON/RUN position. Press the switch in to the resis-
tance point to open; release the switch when the window
is in the desired position.
For express opening of windows, press the switch past
the resistance point and release; the window lowers to
the fully open position. To interrupt the procedure,
briefly press the switch again and release.
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing proce-
dure.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the ignition switch, and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment can cause serious personal injury.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21
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Power Window Operation With The Convertible
Top Switch (Roadster Only)
The power windows can also be operated by using the
convertible top switch.
To operate, turn the key in the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position. Press down on the rear of the con-
vertible top switch twice to open the windows.
Press down on the front of the convertible top switch
twice to close the windows.
REAR LIFTGATE/DECKLID RELEASE
You can open the rear liftgate/decklid by using the
handle located on the liftgate/decklid just above the rear
license plate pocket.
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the rear cargo
area by climbing into the rear cargo area from
outside. Always close the liftgate/decklid when your
vehicle is unattended. Once in the cargo area, young
children may have difficulty leaving the vehicle. If
trapped in the cargo area, children can die from
suffocation or heat stroke.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. These include the lap/
shoulder seat belts for the driver and passenger, emer-
gency tensioning retractors for the seat belts, and front
and side airbags for the driver and passenger. If you will
be carrying children too small for adult-size belts, the
passenger side seat belt also can be used to hold infant
and child restraint systems.
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
•To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the rear liftgate/decklid while driving. However, if for
some reason it must remain open, close all windows.Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, see your authorized dealer.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for
four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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2. Make sure the decklid is closed.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position.
CAUTION!
Be sure to turn the ignition to the“ON/RUN”
position before releasing the top from the wind-
shield header. The windows will not go down if the
top is released from the header without the ignition
turned“ON”. The side windows can be damaged if
the doors are opened or closed with the windows up
and the top released from the windshield header and
pushed to the overcenter position.
4. Unlock the top from the windshield header by push-
ing the latch handle release button, pulling the latch
handle down and turning it clockwise just over one
quarter turn.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 55
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NOTE:Once the release handle is rotated, the windows
will automatically go down.
5. Push up on the convertible top latch handle to create a
gap between the header and top of approximately 8
inches (200 mm). As soon as the top is free, rotate the
latch handle counterclockwise just over one quarter turn
and push it up into the stored position.
NOTE:Failure to perform any of these steps will
prevent the top from operating with the convertible top
switch and will cause an audible information signal to
sound.6. Push down on the rear of the convertible top switch to
begin top operation. The rear of the top will unlatch and
the tonneau cover will open before the top begins to fold.
Hold the switch down until the convertible top is com-
pletely lowered into its storage compartment and the
tonneau cover is closed and latched. A single audible
signal will sound to indicate completion of the top
opening operation.
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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NOTE:Once the top is lowered and the audible signal
is heard, you can continue to push the convertible top
switch down or push it within 2 seconds to raise the
windows.
The windows can also be closed/opened later using the
power window switches.CAUTION!
To prevent mildew, the convertible top must be dry
before lowering it into the storage compartment.
Do not lower a frozen convertible top until thawed
and dry. Doing so may result in damage not covered
by the DaimlerChrysler Limited Warranty.
CAUTION!
Do not place anything on the tonneau cover.
The tonneau cover must never be used as a seating
area.
To Raise The Top:
1. Make sure the rear cargo compartment divider is still
secured in the vertical position.
2. Make sure the decklid is closed.
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