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Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
•Does not come on during the 6 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
•Remains on after the 6 to 8 second interval.
•Comes on for any period of time while driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an airbag deployment, your vehicle is
designed to record up to 2-seconds of specific vehicle
data parameters (see the following list) in the event data
recorder prior to the moment of airbag deployment.
Please note that such data are ONLY recorded if an airbag
deploys, and are otherwise unavailable. In conjunctionwith other data gathered during a complete accident
investigation, the electronic data may be used by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation and others to learn more
about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, such investigations may
be requested by customers, insurance carriers, govern-
ment officials, and professional crash researchers, such as
those associated with universities, and with hospital and
insurance organizations.
In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation (regardless of initiative),
the company or its designated representative will first
obtain permission of the appropriate custodial entity for
the vehicle (usually the vehicle owner or lessee) before
accessing the electronic data stored, unless ordered to
download data by a court with legal jurisdiction (i.e.,
pursuant to a warrant). A copy of the data will be
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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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, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
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 selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
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 (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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▫Automatic Headlight System—If Equipped . . 122
▫Smartbeams—If Equipped..............123
▫Instrument Panel And Interior Lights.......124
▫Daytime Running Lights—Canada Only....125
▫Lights-On Reminder...................125
▫Fog Lights—If Equipped...............125
▫Turn Signals.........................126
▫High Beam Switch....................126
▫Passing Light........................126
▫Headlight Time Delay..................126
Windshield Wipers And Washers............126
▫Mist...............................128
▫Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System . . . 128▫Rain Sensing Wipers—If Equipped.........128
Tilt Steering Column....................130
Electronic Brake Control System............131
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............131
▫TCS (Traction Control System)............132
▫BAS (Brake Assist System)...............133
▫ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation).......134
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program).........135
▫ESP/BAS Warning Lamp And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light.......................140
Rear Park Assist System—If Equipped.......141
▫Rear Park Assist Sensors................141
▫Rear Park Assist Warning Display.........142
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
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Page 80 of 448
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature
All exterior mirrors are hinged and may be moved either
forward or rearward to resist damage. The hinges have
three detent positions; full forward, full rearward, and
normal.
Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirrors
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other objects. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in the
right side mirror.
Heated Remote Control Mirrors—If Equipped
These mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice. This
feature is activated whenever you turn on the rear
window defrost.
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lighting
The interior lighting consists of courtesy lights mounted
below the instrument panel, an overhead console light
assembly which contains both driver and passenger
reading lights, reading lights located above the rear
doors, and a rear cargo light. Opening a door or turning
the center of the multi-function control lever to the
extreme up position will activate all interior courtesy
lights.
Front Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted in the overhead console. Each
light can be turned on by pressing the recessed area of the
lens. To turn these lights off, press the recessed area of the
lens a second time. There are also reading lights located
above the rear doors. Each light can be turned on by
pressing the front recessed area of the lens. To turn these
lights off, press the recessed area of the lens a second
time.
120 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESP cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes in 4WD
High Range and in 2WD vehicles. The system has 2
operating modes in 4WD Low Range.
High Range (4WD Models) or 2WD Models
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 4WD high
range and in 2WD vehicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from
4WD low range or neutral back to 4WD high range, the
ESP system will be in this mode. This mode should be
used for most all driving situations. ESP should only be
turned to“Partial Off”or“Full Off”for specific reasons
as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
ESP Control Switch. When inPartial Offmode, the
TCS portion of ESP, except for the“limited slip”feature
described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the
ESP/TCS Indicator Lightwill be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESP function normally. This mode is
intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand,
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP and ERM are unavailable. In
an emergency evasive maneuver, the ESP and ERM
systems will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. The“Full Off”mode is intended for off-
highway or off-road use only.
ESP/BAS Warning Lamp and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The yellow
“ESP/BAS Warning Lamp”and the yellow
“ESP/TCS Indicator Light”in the instrument
cluster both come on when the ignition switch is turned
to the“ON”position. They should go out with the engine
running.If the“ESP/BAS Warning Lamp”comes on
continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in either the ESP or
the BAS system, or both. If this light remains on
after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles at speeds greater than 30 mph (48
km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as possible to
have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightand theESP/BAS
Warning Lampcome on momentarily each time the
ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE