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pulling on the lever attached to the trunk latching
mechanism, which is coated so that it glows in a dark-
ened trunk.
LIFTGATE — COUPE MODELS ONLY
The liftgate can be unlatched by using the vehicle key or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter. Press and hold
the trunk/liftgate button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to unlatch the liftgate by remote. The front
and rear park/turn signal lights will blink 3 times. Then
pull the liftgate open with one fluid motion.
With the ignition ON, the trunk/liftgate open symbol
will be displayed in the instrument cluster indicating that
the liftgate is open.
With the key in the OFF/LOCK position or key out, the
trunk/liftgate open symbol will be displayed until the
liftgate is closed.
WARNING!
•Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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WINDOWS
Power Windows
The power window switches are located between the
driver and passenger seats on the center tunnel bezel, just
to the left of the parking brake. The switch on the left side
controls the driver’s window and the switch on the right
controls the passenger’s window. The power window
switches are active when the ignition is in RUN or
ACCESSORY.
The power window switch also works during accessory
delay. This delay feature will allow the windows to be
functional up to 2 minutes after the vehicle has been
turned off. This feature can be disabled at the dealership
if desired.
NOTE:Windows cannot be driven up during accessory
delay with a door open.NOTE:If the windows are completely closed, each
respective window will drop slightly when either door is
opened. The windows return to their full up position
when the door is again closed. This is necessary to clear
the seal when either door is opened.
WARNING!
Never leave children in a vehicle, with the keys in
the ignition switch. Occupants, particularly unat-
tended children, can become entrapped by the
power windows while operating the power window
switch. Such entrapment may result in serious injury
or death.
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WARNING!
A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
internal injury in a collision. The belt forces won’t
be at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as low as pos-
sible and keep it snug.
7. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.
WARNING!
A twisted belt can’t do its job as well. In a collision
it could even cut into you. Be sure the belt is straight.
If you can’t straighten a belt in your vehicle, take it
to your dealer and have it fixed.
8. To release the belt, push the red button marked PRESS
on the buckle. The belt will automatically retract to its
stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate down
the webbing to allow it to retract fully.
Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
If the driver’s seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert) will alert the driver to buckle their seat
belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to
buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered, the
Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will continue to
chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning Light for 96
seconds or until the driver’s seat belt is buckled. The
Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will be reactivated
if the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled for more than 10
seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8
km/h).
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The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:
NOTE:The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or START position. DaimlerChrysler does not recom-
mend deactivating the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and
buckle the driver’s seat belt.
2. Start the engine and wait for the Seat Belt Warning
Light to turn off.
3. Within 60 seconds of starting the vehicle, unbuckle
and then re-buckle the driver’s seat belt at least three
times within 10 seconds, ending with the seat belt
buckled.NOTE:Watch for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn on
while unbuckling and off while re-buckling the seat belt.
It may be necessary to retract the seat belt.
4. Turn off the engine. A single chime will sound to
signify that you have successfully completed the pro-
gramming.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be reacti-
vated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:Although the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert) has been deactivated, the Seat Belt Warning
Light will continue to illuminate while the driver’s seat
belt remains unbuckled.
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How The Airbag System Works
•
A crash sensor in the occupant compartment deter-
mines if a frontal impact is severe enough to require
the airbag. The sensor will not detect side, roll over, or
rear impacts. The crash sensor is connected to the
diagnostic unit and to the airbag/inflator unit.
•The Diagnostic Unit monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or RUN position. These include
all of the items listed above except the knee bolster, the
instrument panel, and the steering wheel and column.
The Diagnostic Unit also turns on the AIRBAG light in
the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the
ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off. If it
detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the light either momentarily or continuously.
•The Airbag/Inflator Units are in the center of the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel. The words
SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
WARNING!
Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers
or attempt to manually open them. You may damage
the airbags and you could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. These protective
covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open
only when the airbags are inflating.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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NOTE:When the passenger airbag is turned off the
airbag off light will illuminate
To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag:
•Place only the tip of the ignition key in the on/off
switch, turn the key clockwise, and remove the key
from the switch. This will shut off the passenger sideairbag. The PASS AIRBAG OFF light on the instrument
panel will illuminate when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
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 side airbag.
The light on the instrument panel will be off when the
ignition switch 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.
Passenger Airbag Off Light
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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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 bolsters.
•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.
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in a collision. While the airbag Supplemental Re-
straint 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 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
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WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could open when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure the hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
LIGHTS
Courtesy/Reading Lights
These lights, located under the rearview mirror, come on
whenever a door is opened or the illuminated entry
system is activated. These lights also function by rotating
the dimmer control in the multi-function control lever.
The reading lights can be manually turned on with the
doors closed by means of switches located on the bottom
of the rearview mirror.There are also courtesy lights located in both the driver
and passenger footwell areas. They will turn on as part of
the illuminated entry system by either opening a door,
unlocking the door from the remote keyless entry, or by
the multi-function control lever dimmer control.
Courtesy/Reading Light Switches
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