Page 39 of 296

To Turn On the Passenger Airbag:
•Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key counterclockwise, and remove the key from the
switch. This will turn on the passenger airbag. The
Passenger Airbag Off light on the console will turn off,
or will not be illuminated when the ignition is turned
to the ON position.
WARNING!
The airbag may malfunction and serious injury
could result if key is left in the airbag shut off
switch. Always remove the key.
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
2
Page 40 of 296

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.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap
could become so great that you could not hold the
child, no matter how strong you are. The child and
others could be badly injured. Any child riding in
your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the
child’s size.
Infants and Child Restraints
There are different sizes and types of restraints for children
from newborn size to the child almost large enough for an
adult safety belt. Always check the child seat Owner’s
Manual to ensure you have the right seat for your child.
Use the restraint that is correct for your child:
•Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 9 kg (20 lbs.). Two
types of child restraints can be used rearward-facing:
infant carriers and “convertible” child seats.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 48 of 296

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.
Defrosters
Check operation by pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing the blower control
on high speed. You should be able to feel the air directed
against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires for
proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
NOTE:Use of the air conditioning may cause puddles
of water to form under the vehicle.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 49 of 296

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Convertible Top Operation................52
▫To Lower The Top......................53
▫To Raise The Top......................58
▫Convertible Top Lamp And Audible Signal
Chart...............................61
Console Features.......................62
▫Storage Compartments..................63
▫Ashtray.............................64
▫Coin Holder..........................65
▫Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter...............65
▫Glove Compartment....................66
Cupholder (If Equipped)..................66
Mirrors..............................67
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror.................67
▫Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature...........67
▫Heated Remote Control Mirrors (If Equipped) . .67
▫Outside Mirrors.......................67
▫Power Remote Control Outside Mirrors......68
▫Vanity Mirrors........................69
Seats................................69
▫Manual Seat Adjustments (If Equipped)......70
▫Driver Eight-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)....72
▫Passenger Four-Way Power Seat (If Equipped) . .73
3
Page 50 of 296

▫Heated Seats (If Equipped)...............73
To Open And Close The Hood.............74
Interior Lights.........................75
▫Front Map/Reading Lights...............75
▫Battery Saver Feature...................75
▫Instrument Panel Lighting................76
▫Night Security Illumination...............76
Exterior Lights.........................76
▫Headlights And Parking Lights............76
▫Daytime Running Lights (Where Applicable) . . .77
▫Fog Lights (If Equipped).................77
▫Standing Lights.......................77
Multifunction Control Lever...............78
▫Turn Signals..........................78
▫Headlight Dimmer Switch................79
▫Passing Light.........................80▫Windshield Wipers And Washer............80
▫Mist Function.........................81
Telescoping Steering Column..............82
Tire Pressure Monitor System..............83
Rear Spoiler...........................87
Brake Assist System (BAS)................89
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)...........91
▫Synchronizing ESP.....................93
Electronic Speed Control..................94
▫To Vary The Speed Setting................95
▫To Deactivate.........................96
▫To Resume Speed......................96
▫Using Speed Control On Hills.............97
Garage Door Opener (If Equipped)..........97
▫Programming The Universal Transceiver......98
▫Gate Operator/Canadian Programming.....100
50 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 59 of 296
6. Pull the latch handle and convertible top down to
engage the top with the header.
7. When the top engages to the header, turn the latch
handle counterclockwise just over one quarter turn to the
lock position and push the latch handle up to the stored
position. The top is now secured in the closed position.
NOTE:The convertible top switch indicator will light
up and an audible warning will be heard if you start
driving the vehicle without the top fully locked in the
closed position.
WARNING!
To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle only
with the convertible top either completely closed
and locked, or fully lowered into its storage compart-
ment.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 59
3
Page 62 of 296
CONSOLE FEATURES
The console has a power outlet/cigar lighter, an ash tray
with a coin holder, a cupholder (if equipped), and the
passenger airbag light. In addition, there are switches to
control the heated seats (if equipped), rear spoiler, elec-
tronic stability program (ESP), hazard flashers, central
locking, rear defroster and towing alarm.
Operating controls for the heating and air conditioning
systems, power windows, power mirrors, convertible top
switch (if equipped), and the automatic transmission
program mode selector switch (if equipped) are also
located in the console.
62 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 64 of 296
A storage pouch is located on the rear wall between the
seats, and the driver’s sunvisor has a document strap.
WARNING!
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about and
injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.
Ashtray
Lightly touch the bottom of the ashtray cover. The
ashtray will open automatically.
To remove the ashtray insert, pull the ashtray past the
detent. Hold both sides of the insert, and pull up. To
install the ashtray, place it in the frame and push down to
engage.
WARNING!
Remove the ashtray only with the vehicle stopped
and the ignition off. Otherwise, the vehicle might
move unexpectedly as a result of unintended contact
with the gear selector lever.
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE