Failure to use driver and passenger seat beltsprovided
is a major cause of severe or fatal injury. In fact, the U.S.
government notes that the universal use of existing seat
belts could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or more
each year, and could reduce disabling injuries by 2
million annually. In a roll over crash an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Always buckle up.
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
6 INTRODUCTION
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys..................14
▫Ignition Key..........................14
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................15
Sentry Key Immobilizer System..............15
▫Important Note About Service.............16
▫Replacement Keys......................16
▫Customer Key Programming..............17
▫General Information....................17
Illuminated Entry........................18Doors And Door Locks....................18
▫Manual Door Locks.....................18
▫Power Door Locks.....................20
Remote Keyless Entry.....................21
▫To Unlock The Doors...................21
▫To Lock The Doors.....................22
▫To Release The Liftgate Flipper Glass........22
▫Using The Panic Alarm..................23
▫General Information....................24
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▫Transmitter Battery Service...............24
Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........25
▫ToSetTheAlarm ......................26
▫To Disarm The System...................26
Liftgate...............................27
▫Liftgate Flipper Glass...................28
Power Windows........................29
▫Auto Down..........................30
▫Auto Up Feature With Anti-Pinch Protection
(Driver’s And Front Passenger Door Only)....30
▫Window Lockout Switch.................31
▫Wind Buffeting........................31
Occupant Restraints......................32▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.....................33
▫Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions.....34
▫Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage....37
▫Automatic Locking Mode — If Equipped.....38
▫Energy Management Feature..............38
▫Seat Belt Pretensioners...................39
▫Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert)...........................40
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women............41
▫Seat Belt Extender......................41
▫Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS)..................42
▫Child Restraint........................58
Engine Break-In Recommendations...........68
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
If the SKIM indicator light comes on during normal
vehicle operation (it has been running for longer than 10
seconds) a fault has been detected in the electronics and
the vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.
NOTE:
•The Sentry Key Immobilizer System is not compatible
with remote starting systems. Use of these systems
may result in vehicle starting problems and loss of
security protection.
•Mobil Speedpass™, additional Sentry Keys, or any
other transponder equipped components on the same
keychain will not cause a key-related (Transponder)
fault unless the additional part isphysically held
against the ignition keybeing used when starting the
vehicle. Also, cell phones, pagers, or other RF electron-
ics will not cause interference with this system.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Important Note About Service
A four digit PIN number is needed to service the Sentry
Key Immobilizer System. This number can be obtained
from your authorized dealer. However, this number can
also be found on your customer invoice that you were
given upon receipt of your vehicle.
Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that have been programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Key has been programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four digit PIN number. This number is required
for dealer replacement of keys. Duplication of keys may
be performed at an authorized dealer or by using the
Customer Key Programming procedure. This procedure
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
consists of programming a blank key to the vehicle
electronics. A blank key is one which has never been
programmed.
NOTE:When having the Sentry Key System serviced,
bring all vehicle keys to the dealer.
Customer Key Programming
You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid keys by doing the following:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key Transponder blank(s) to
match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch and
turn the ignition switch ON for at least 3 seconds but no
longer than 15 seconds. Turn the ignition switch OFF and
remove the first key.
3. Insert the second valid key and turn the ignition
switch ON within 15 seconds. After ten seconds, a chimewill sound and the SKIM indicator light will begin to
flash. Turn the ignition switch OFF and remove the
second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key into the ignition switch and
turn the ignition switch ON within 60 seconds. After 10
seconds, a single chime will sound. The SKIM indicator
light will stop flashing, turn on for 3 seconds; then turn
off.
The new Sentry Key has been programmed. Repeat this
process to program up to a total of 8 keys.
General Information
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System complies with FCC
rules part 15 and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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2. While the “Unlock” button is pressed, (after 4 seconds)
press the “Lock” button. Release both buttons.
The “Flash Lights On Lock/Unlock” feature can be
reactivated by repeating this procedure.
General Information
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and
RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired op-
eration.
If your Remote Keyless Entry transmitter fails to operate
from a normal distance, check for these two conditions.
1. A weak battery in the transmitter. The expected life of
the battery is a minimum of three years.2. Closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, and some mobile or CB radios.
Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement battery is one CR2032
battery.
NOTE:Do not touch the battery terminals that are on
the back housing or the printed circuit board.
1. With the transmitter buttons facing down, remove the
small screw, and separate the two halves of the transmit-
ter. Make sure not to damage the rubber gasket during
removal.
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
This safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is
designed to release webbing in a controlled manner. This
feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on
the occupant’s chest.
WARNING!
•The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced
if the seat belt assembly “automatic locking re-
tractor” feature or any other seat belt function is
not working properly when checked according to
the procedures in the Service Manual.
•Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly
could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The driver and front passenger seat belts are equipped
with a pretensioning device that is designed to remove
any slack from the seat belt systems in the event of a
collision. This device improves the performance of the
seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight around the
occupant early in a collision. Pretensioners work for all
size occupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt must still be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Control (ORC) Module. Like the front airbags, the
pretensioners are a single use item. After a collision that
is severe enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners,
they must be replaced.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
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because this can also affect occupant classification. Also,
if you fold down the rear seat check to be sure it doesn’t
touch the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the “Airbag Warning
Light” (a red light located in the center of the instrument
cluster directly in front of the driver) will be turned on.
This indicates that you should take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer. The “Airbag Warning Light” is turned
on whenever there is fault that can affect the operation of
the airbag system. If there is a fault present in the OCS,
both the “PAD Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning
Light” are illuminated to show that the passenger airbag
is turned off until the fault is cleared. If an object islodged under the seat and interferes with operation of
the weight sensors, a fault will occur which turns on both
the “PAD Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning
Light.” Once the lodged object is removed, the fault will
be automatically cleared after a short period of time.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
are possible, based on collision severity and occupant
size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold
out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags fully inflate in about 50–70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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