
treated confidentially. Confidential data will not be dis-
closed by DaimlerChrysler to any third party except
when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
•Ti m eof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Seatbelt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Cruise control status (if applicable)
•Traction/stability control status (if applicable)
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.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision 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 light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
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 and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) 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.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The high beam headlights will come on as Daytime
Running Lights, whenever the ignition switch is on, the
headlights are off, and the parking brake is off. The
headlight switch must be used for normal nighttime
driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver’s door is opened.
Fog Lights
The front fog light switch is on the headlight
switch below the dimmer control. To activate the
front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or the
low beam headlights and press the fog light switch.
An indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminates
when the fog lights are turned on.
NOTE:The fog lights will operate with the low beam
headlights or parking lights on. However, selecting the
high beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Multi-Function Lever
The multi-function lever controls the operation of the
turn signals, headlight beam selection, and passing
lights. The lever is located on the left side of the steering
column.
Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Lever up or down and the
corresponding turn signal indicator in the instrument
cluster flashes to show proper operation of the front and
rear turn signal lights. You can also signal a lane change
Multi-Function Lever
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

ADJUSTABLE PEDALS
The adjustable pedals system is designed to allow a
greater range of driver comfort for steering wheel tilt and
seat position. This feature allows both the brake and
accelerator pedal to move toward or away from the
driver to provide improved position with the steering
wheel. The switch is located on the front side of the
driver’s seat cushion side shield.Press the switch forward to move the pedals forward
(toward the front of the vehicle).
Press the switch rearward to move the pedals rearward
(toward the driver).
•The pedals can be adjusted with the ignition OFF.
•The pedals can be adjusted while driving.
•The pedalscannotbe adjusted when the vehicle is in R
(Reverse) or when the Speed Control is ON. One of the
following messages will display in the Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC) if a pedal adjustment
is attempted when the system is locked out: “Adjust-
able Pedal Disabled — Cruise Control Engaged” or
“Adjustable Pedal Disabled — Vehicle In Reverse.”
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Driver Memory
Seat, you can use your remote keyless entry transmitter
or the memory switch on the driver’s door panel to
return the adjustable pedals to pre-programmed posi-
tions. Refer to “Driver Memory Seat” in this section for
details.
Adjustable Pedal Switch
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Activate:
Push the speed control lever inward (toward
the steering column) and release (“ON/OFF”).
The indicator light in the lever (and in the
instrument cluster on some models) will illu-
minate to show that the speed control system is ON. To
turn the system OFF, push the lever inward (toward the
steering column) again and release. At this time, the
system and the indicator light will turn off.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren’t using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, push the
lever down and release (“SET/DECEL”). Remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal and the vehicle will
operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:
•
Speed control will only function in third, fourth, or
fifth gear when in the AutostickMode (if equipped).
•The speed control may not engage if a different size
tire is installed on one wheel, such as the compact
spare tire.
To Deactivate:
The system will disable Electronic Speed Control without
erasing the memory if you:
•Softly tap the brake pedal.
•Depress the brake pedal.
•Push the speed control lever away from you (“CAN-
CEL”).
Pushing and releasing the lever (“ON/OFF”) or turning
off the ignition erases the set speed from memory.
To Resume Speed:
If you deactivated the speed control without erasing the
set speed from memory and your vehicle speed is above
20 mph (32 km/h) you can resume the previous set
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM
The Rear Park Assist System is a driver aid that senses for
obstacles behind the vehicle. Refer to the Warnings,
Cautions, and Notes in this section for system limitations
and usage recommendations.
The Rear Park Assist System is active when the driver
shifts the transmission into the R (Reverse) position, and
the parking brake is not applied, and the vehicle speed is
less than 10 mph (16 km/h).
The system can be turned on or off when the vehicle is in
PARK through the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). For details, refer to “Personal Settings (Customer
Programmable Features)” under “Electronic Vehicle In-
formation Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
The system uses four sensors located in the rear bumper
to scan for obstacles up to 59 inches (150 cm) away from
the rear bumper fascia. The warning display located
above the rear window provides both visible and audible
warnings to indicate the range of the object.The warning display contains two sets of yellow and red
LEDs, one set to warn of obstacles behind the left rear of
the vehicle and the other set to warn of obstacles behind
the right rear of the vehicle. The driver can view the LEDs
either through the rear view mirror or by looking at the
display above the rear window.
The system dimly illuminates the two outer most yellow
LEDs when it is ON and detecting no obstacles. The
following chart shows the warning display operation
when the system is detecting an obstacle:
Rear Park Assist Indicator
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

7. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (r.p.m. x 1000) for each
gear range. Ease up on the accelerator before reaching the
red area.
8. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light will turn on and a single chime will
sound to warn of an overheated engine condi-
tion. When this light turns on, the engine tem-
perature is critically hot. The vehicle should be turned
off immediately and serviced as soon as possible. (See
page 256 for more information.)
9. Anti-Lock Brake Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System.
The light will turn on when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position and may stay on for as
long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving,
then the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system is not
functioning and service is required. However, the con-
ventional brake system will continue to operate normally
if the BRAKE warning light is not on.If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer. (See page 211 for
more information.)
10. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) / Brake
Assist System (BAS) Malfunction Indicator Light
The yellow ESP/BAS malfunction indicator
light will turn on when the key in the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. The light should go out with the engine
running. If the 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. (See page 214 for
more information.)
11. Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for 6 to 8 seconds as a
bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is either not on
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4

during starting, or stays on, or turns on while driving,
then have the system inspected at your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. (See page 46 for more
information.)
12. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking
brake application. If the brake light turns on,
it may indicate that the parking brake is
applied, that the brake fluid level is low, or that there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake system.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity to a portion of the hydraulic system in the event of a
failure. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder drops
below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers due to a change in fluid level. If so,
the vehicle should have service performed and the brake
fluid level checked.
Immediate repair is necessary if brake failure is indicated.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
Both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light will
turn on in the event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair
of the ABS system is required in the event of an EBD
failure.
138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL