
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys................. 9
NIgnition Key Removal................... 9
NLocking Doors With The Key..............10
NKey-In-Ignition Reminder................11
mSentry Key............................11
NReplacement Keys......................12
NSentry Key Programming.................12
NGeneral Information....................13
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped.........13
NTo Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......13
NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........13NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System . .14
mDoor Locks...........................14
NManual Door Locks.....................14
NPower Door Locks Ð If Equipped..........15
NCentral Locking/Unlocking Ð If Equipped....15
NAutomatic Door Locks Ð If Equipped.......16
N
Child-Protection Door Lock System (Rear Doors).17
mInternal Emergency Trunk Lid Release.......18
mRemote Trunk Lid Release Ð If Equipped.....18
mRemote Keyless Entry Ð If Equipped........19
NTo Unlock The Doors...................19
2

INTERNAL EMERGENCY TRUNK LID RELEASE
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.
As a security measure, a Trunk Internal Emergency
Release lever is built into the trunk latching mechanism.
In the event of an individual being locked inside the
trunk, the trunk can be simply opened by pulling on the
glow-in-the-dark lever attached to the trunk latching
mechanism. See picture below.REMOTE TRUNK LID RELEASE Ð IF EQUIPPED
You can open the trunk from inside the vehicle by
pressing a switch located inside the glove compartment.
NOTE:The remote trunk release feature will operate
with the ignition switch in all positions. The remote trunk
release will not operate above 5 mph.
Emergency Release
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors and
trunk or activate the panic alarm from distances up to
about 23 feet (7 meters) using a hand held transmitter.
NOTE:A slight delay of up to two seconds can occur
before the doors or trunk will unlock.
To Unlock the Doors
Press and release the UNLOCK button once to unlock the
driver's door. Press the button twice within 5 seconds to
unlock all doors. The interior lights also come on and
remain on for about 30 seconds when you unlock the
doors.
NOTE:You may turn off this feature and unlock all
doors with one press of the button by following the
procedure shown in the Central Locking/Unlocking
paragraph.
To Lock the Doors
Press and release the LOCK button to lock all doors. The
park/lamps will flash and the horn will chirp to ac-
knowledge the signal.
Horn Chirp Feature
The horn chirp that signals that the doors have been
locked can be toggled on or off by using the following
procedure:
1. Insert the ignition key and turn the switch to the
ON/RUN position.
2. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on the transmitter
for 4 to 10 seconds.
3. Continue to hold the UNLOCK button and press the
LOCK button.
4. Release both buttons.Four Button Transmitter
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
2

A chime will sound to signify that the feature has been
successfully completed.
To Unlock the Trunk
Press the TRUNK button on the transmitter twice to
unlock the trunk.
NOTE:A slight delay of up to two seconds can occur
before the trunk unlatches.
Using The Panic Alarm
To turn on the panic alarm feature, press and release the
PANIC button. When the panic alarm is on the headlights
and park/lamps will flash, the horn will pulse on and off
and the interior lights will turn on.
The panic alarm will stay on for 3 minutes unless you
press the PANIC button a second time, or until vehicle
speed reaches 15 mph (24 km/h).
NOTE:When you turn off the panic alarm by pressing
the PANIC button a second time, you may have to be
closer to the vehicle due to the radio frequency noises of
the system.
Programming Additional Transmitters
Up to four transmitters can be programmed to your
vehicle. Your new vehicle was shipped with two trans-
mitters. See your dealer for additional transmitters.
Additional transmitters can be programmed to the sys-
tem by using the following procedure:
1. Insert the key into the ignition and turn the switch to
the RUN position.
2. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on the transmitter
for between four and ten seconds.
3. Continue to hold the UNLOCK button and press the
PANIC button. A chime will sound to indicate that the
transmitter programming mode has been entered.
4. Press a button on all transmitters to be programmed to
the system, including any previously programmed trans-
mitters. A chime will sound when each transmitter has
been programmed.
5. Turn the ignition switch off to exit the transmitter
programming mode.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid types.
Front Suspension Ball Joints
There are two front suspension lower ball joints that are
permanently lubricated. Inspect these ball joints when-
ever under-vehicle service is done. Damaged seals
should be replaced to prevent leakage or grease contami-
nation.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, doors, trunk and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the appli-
cation of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be
wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular
attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to insure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the fall and spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant such as MopartLock
Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
178 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 152
Jump Starting........................ 155
Towing............................. 160
Emergency Trunk Release................. 18
Emission Control System Maintenance....167,206
Engine............................... 165
Break-In Recommendations............... 46
Checking Oil Level.................... 169
Compartment........................ 165
Cooling............................ 181
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 144
Jump Starting........................ 155
Oil ..........................169,202,203
Oil Change Interval................... 170
Oil Filler Cap........................ 172
Oil Filter............................ 203
Oil Selection......................... 171
Oil Synthetic......................... 172
Overheating......................... 150
Temperature Gauge.................... 81
Timing Belt.......................... 174
Exhaust Gas Caution..................46,144Exhaust Pipes......................... 180
Exhaust System........................ 180
Extender, Seat Belt....................... 31
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 175
Automatic Transaxle................... 190
Engine Fuel......................... 175
Engine Oil.......................173,203
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 150
Flooded Engine Starting.................. 115
Fluid, Brake........................... 203
Fluid Capacities........................ 202
Fluid Leaks............................ 47
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle................... 188
Manual Transaxle..................... 190
Fluids............................... 203
Fog Lights...........................62,77
Folding Rear Seat....................... 57
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 159
Front Suspension Ball Joints............... 178
INDEX 237
10

Rear Window Defroster.................. 110
Reclining Front Seats..................... 56
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 203
Recreational Towing..................... 148
Reformulated Gasoline................... 142
Refrigerant............................ 177
Release, Hood.......................... 58
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 19
Remote Trunk Release.................... 18
Replacement Bulbs...................... 198
Replacement Keys....................... 12
Replacement Parts...................... 168
Replacement Tires...................... 138
Reporting Safety Defects................. 229
Rotation, Tires......................... 141
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 47
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 47
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 229
Safety Information, Tire.................. 124
Safety Tips............................. 46
Satellite Radio.......................... 93Satellite Radio Antenna................... 96
Seat Belts.............................. 24
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 28
And Pregnant Women.................. 30
Child Restraint........................ 39
Extender............................ 31
Front Seat............................ 24
Maintenance......................... 195
Rear Seat............................ 24
Untwisting Procedure................... 29
Seats................................. 55
Adjustment.......................... 55
Head Restraints....................... 57
Rear Folding......................... 57
Reclining............................ 56
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm).............22,79
Sentry Key.......................... 11,22
Sentry Key Programming.................. 12
Service Assistance...................... 224
Service Contract........................ 226
Service Manuals........................ 229
Setting the Clock........................ 82
Shift Speeds........................... 120
242 INDEX

Load Capacity....................128,129
Quality Grading...................... 231
Radial............................. 135
Replacement......................... 138
Rotation............................ 141
Safety...........................124,132
Sizes............................... 125
Snow Tires.......................... 140
Spinning............................ 137
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 137
Towing
Disabled Vehicle...................... 160
Guide.............................. 147
Recreational......................... 148
Weight............................. 147
Trailer Towing......................... 146
Minimum Requirements................ 147
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 147
Warnings........................... 146
Trailer Towing Guide.................... 147
Trailer Weight......................... 147
Transaxle
Automatic................. 9,114,116,117,188Manual...................10,67,114,119,190
Overdrive........................... 118
Selection of Lubricant.................. 188
Transmitter Battery Service................ 21
Transporting Pets........................ 45
Tread Wear Indicators................... 137
Trip Odometer.......................... 80
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 80
Trunk Release Button..................... 18
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 18
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 18
Turn Signals.........................62,78
Underhood Fuses....................... 195
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 231
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt............. 29
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 185
Variance, Compass....................... 53
Vehicle Identification Number............... 6
Vehicle Loading.....................129,146
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations............ 6
Vehicle Storage......................... 198
244 INDEX