Page 262 of 420
TRACTION CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System reduces wheel slip and
maintains traction at the driving (front) wheels. The
system reduces wheel slip by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction (spinning). The system will
operate at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h).
The system is always in the“stand by”mode unless,
•The Traction Control Switch has been used to turn the
system OFF
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction
•The system has been deactivated to prevent damage to
the brake system due to overheated brake tempera-
tures
Traction Control Switch
262 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 263 of 420
NOTE:
•The Traction Control system will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when in operation.
•Extended heavy use of Traction Control may cause the
system to deactivate and turn on the traction control
indicator located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and
is a normal condition. The system will remain disabled
for about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The
system will automatically reactivate and turn off the
traction control indicator.
•If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow,
turn the Traction Control System OFF before at-
tempting to“rock”the vehicle free.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter“P”molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
STARTING AND OPERATING 263
5
Page 311 of 420

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 311
6
Page 401 of 420

Call Toll Free at1–800–890–4038 (U.S.)or1–800–387–1143
(Canada)
Or
Visit us on the World Wide Web at:
www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.comor
www.daimlerchrysler.ca/manuals
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 401
9
Page 402 of 420

WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
402 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Page 411 of 420

Ignition
Key ................................. 11
Illuminated Entry........................ 15
Immobilizer............................ 12
Indicator, Traction Control................. 168
Infant Restraint.......................... 62
Information Center, Vehicle................. 174
Instrument Cluster.................163,164,165
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 162
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 357
Integrated Power Module.................. 359
Interior Appearance Care.................. 356
Interior Lights.......................121,122
Intermittent Wipers...................... 127
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 303
Jack Operation.......................302,306
Jacking Instructions...................... 306Jump Starting.......................... 309
Key, Programming........................ 14
Key, Replacement........................ 14
Key, Sentry............................. 12
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys.................................. 11
Knee Bolster............................ 49
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 33
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)............................59,61
Latches
Hood............................... 119
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 287
Liftgate................................ 27
Lights..............................69,120
Airbag........................48,58,69,173
INDEX 411
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Page 419 of 420

Tread Wear Indicators................... 278
Towing............................... 294
Disabled Vehicle....................... 313
Recreational.......................298,314
Trailering............................ 294
Traction Control...................130,168,262
Traction Control Switch.................130,262
Trailer Towing.......................... 294
Minimum Requirements................. 295
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 295
Transaxle............................. 251
Automatic........................... 251
Autostick......................135,253,254
Operation........................... 251
Overdrive........................... 253
Selection of Lubricant................349,370
Transmission........................... 349
Automatic........................... 349
Filter............................... 351Fluid............................... 349
Transmitter Battery Service.................. 24
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 138
Transmitter Programming................... 22
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry............ 20
Transporting Pets........................ 66
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 278
Trip Odometer.......................... 169
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 169
Turn Signals...................125,166,366,367
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 401
Universal Joints......................... 337
Universal Transmitter..................... 138
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 287
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt.............. 39
Vanity Mirrors........................... 78
Variance, Compass....................... 181
INDEX 419
10