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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 list below) in an 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 conjunction with otherdata 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 performance. In addition to
crash investigations initiated by DaimlerChrysler Corpo-
ration, such investigations may be requested by custom-
ers, insurance carriers, government officials, and profes-
sional crash researchers, such as those associated with
universities, and with hospital and insurance organiza-
tions.
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
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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.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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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.
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▫Turn Signals.........................124
▫High Beam Switch....................125
▫Passing Light........................125
▫Headlight Time Delay..................125
Windshield Wipers And Washers............126
▫Mist...............................127
▫Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System . . . 127
▫Rain Sensing Wipers—If Equipped.........128
Tilt Steering Column....................130
Electronic Brake Control System............130
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............131
▫TCS (Traction Control System)............132
▫BAS (Brake Assist System)...............132▫ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation).......133
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program).........134
▫ESP/BAS Warning Lamp And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light................137
Rear Park Assist System— If Equipped.......138
▫Rear Park Assist Sensors................138
▫Rear Park Assist Warning Display.........139
▫Enable/Disable The Rear Park Assist System . . 140
▫Service The Rear Park Assist System........141
▫Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System......141
Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped...........144
Electronic Speed Control..................146
▫To Activate..........................146
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
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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.
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightlocated in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. TheESP/TCS Indicator
Lightalso flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS
Indicator Lightbegins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.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.
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NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “ESP Partial
Off” mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “ESP Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily
depressing the “ESP Control Switch.” This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
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.
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GARAGE DOOR OPENER
The HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver replaces up to
three remote controls (hand held transmitters) that oper-
ate devices such as garage door openers, motorized
gates, or home lighting. It triggers these devices at the
push of a button. The Universal Transceiver operates off
your vehicle’s battery and charging system; no batteries
are needed.
NOTE:The HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver is dis-
abled when the Vehicle Theft Alarm is active.
For additional information on HomeLink, call 1–800–
355–3515, or on the internet at www.homelink.com.WARNING!
A moving garage door can cause injury to people and
pets in the path of the door. People or pets could be
seriously or fatally injured. Only use this transceiver
with a garage door opener that has a “stop and
reverse” feature as required by federal safety stan-
dards. This includes most garage door opener mod-
els manufactured after 1982. Do not use a garage
door opener without these safety features it could
cause injury or death. Call toll-free 1–800–355–3515
or, on the Internet at www.homelink.com for safety
information or assistance.
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE