WARNING!
The outside temperature indicator is not designed to
serve as an ice-warning device and is unsuitable for
that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface
is free of ice.
24. Airbag Light
The operational readiness of the airbag sys-
tem is verified by the airbag indicator light
in the instrument cluster when turning the
key in the ignition switch to the ACC or
ON/RUN position. If no fault is detected, the light
will go out after approximately 4 seconds. After the
lamp goes out, the system continues to monitor the
components and circuitry of the airbag system and
will indicate a malfunction by coming on again.
The light will come on and remain on for 4 seconds as a
bulb check when the ignition switch is first turned ON. Ifthe 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.
WARNING!
In the event a malfunction of the airbag is indicated,
the airbag may not be operational. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you visit an authorized
dealer immediately to have the system checked;
otherwise the airbag may not be activated when
needed in an accident, which could result in serious
or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury.
25. Telescoping Wheel Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition and turned to the
ON/RUN position, the indicator light in the
instrument cluster comes on. It should go
out when the engine is running. If the indi-
cator light does not go out after starting the engine, the
telescoping steering column is not locked properly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 123
4
WARNING!
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly
locked the steering column.
26. Check Engine Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system that monitors the emissions and en-
gine control systems. If a problem is detected in one of
these systems, the Check Engine light will come on.
The light comes on and stays on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition is first turned on.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, or
poor fuel quality may illuminate the light after the engine
is started. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you
refuel.
If the Check Engine light remains on continuously and
the vehicle is driving normally, you may still drive the
vehicle. In most situations, the vehicle will not requiretowing. However, we recommend that you have the
system checked at an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
If the vehicle is not driving normally, and the Check
Engine light flashes or remains on continuously, it is an
alert to serious conditions that could lead to loss of power
or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should
be serviced at an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
27. Brake Wear Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition and turned to the
ON/RUN position, the brake wear indicator
light comes on. The light goes out when the
engine is running.
If the indicator light comes on during braking, this
indicates the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
124 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
28. Oil Level Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, the oil level indicator
light comes on. It should go out immediately
when the engine is running. If the light does
not go out, or comes on while driving, the engine oil
level has dropped to approximately the minimum
mark on the dipstick.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
A sensor in the oil pan allows oil level to be checked
without opening the hood. It provides an accurate mea-
surement of oil level, whereas the low engine oil level
indicator warns that oil level is definitely too low. With
the vehicle parked on a level surface, the engine is
warmed up and shut off for approximately five minutes.
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN
position, press the knob to the left of the speedometer
once and wait 7 seconds. An ISO oil level icon appears in
the trip odometer window and a ªclockº icon in the
cumulative odometer display. Pressing the knob to the
left of the speedometer twice within one second displays
one of the following messages:²OK
²-1.0 Q (-1.0L)
²-1.5 Q (-1.5L)
²-2.0 Q (-2.0L)
²HI
The indicated amount of oil must be added to the engine
if the message -2.0 Q (-2.0L) blinks and a signal sounds.
The HI message indicates that the excess oil must be
removed from the pan to avoid possible engine or
catalytic converter damage. If the ISO oil level icon and
ªclockº icon remain on when attempting to check oil
level and no message follows, or if the low engine oil
level warning lamp comes on, a malfunction in the
engine oil level system is indicated. A conveniently
located dipstick allows manual checking of the oil level.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the ªfullº mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
29. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to about 2 gallons (7.5
liters), this symbol will light and remains lit until
fuel is added.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 125
4
Basic Setting - Air Conditioner
Press the air conditioning ON/OFF switch. The
light in the switch will illuminate. Select a
temperature for each side of the passenger
compartment. Select the air volume with the
fan control switch, at least to position 1. Set the air
distribution control switch to one of the positions shown
above. Open center air outlets. Open left and right side
air outlets.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not run if
the fan control switch is not set to position 1 or higher.
NOTE:The dot between the air distribution control
icons is a mix position between the two modes.
Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the compressor is on. This is a normal occurrence,
since the compressor will cycle on and off to maintain
comfort and increase fuel economy.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects.
Defrosting
Set the temperature selectors to the maximum
heating position, set the fan control to position 5,
and the air distribution to the defrost position. Close the
center air outlets. Close the left and right side air outlets.
Turn the defroster outlets for the side windows to the
detent position.
Defogging Windows Fogged Up On Inside
Press the A/C button; the indicator light should illumi-
nate. Switch off the air recirculation; the indicator light
should go out. Set the air distribution control switch to
the defrost position. Increase air volume with the fan
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4
STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Be sure that the parking brake is engaged and that
selector lever is in the NEUTRAL or PARK position
(gearshift lever in Neutral). Turn the key in the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. Apply the brakes before
shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmissions:
Do not depress the accelerator. Simply turn the key in the
ignition switch clockwise to the START position andrelease when the engine starts. If the engine will not run,
turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF/LOCK posi-
tion and repeat the starting procedure. If there are several
unsuccessful attempts, have the system checked at the
nearest authorized dealer.
Vehicles with manual transmissions:
Do not depress the accelerator. Fully depress the clutch
pedal, otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the
integrated safety interlock. Simply turn the key in the
ignition switch clockwise to the START position and
release when the engine starts. The starter will engage
until the engine is running. If the engine will not run,
turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF/LOCK posi-
tion and repeat the starting procedure. If there are several
unsuccessful attempts, have the system checked at the
nearest authorized dealer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
down into a lower gear. Rapid release of the accelerator
pedal will normally result in an upshift. This gear shift-
ing process is dependent on the current vehicle speed.
For Winter/Wet (snow and ice) mode, press the ªWº
symbol on the switch. The vehicle starts out in SECOND
gear, unless FIRST gear has been selected, or the accel-
erator pedal is in the kickdown position. The ªWº mode
helps to improve traction and driving stability of the
vehicle. The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the ªSº program mode.
CAUTION!
Never change the program mode when the selector
lever is out of the PARK position. It could result in a
change of driving characteristics for which you may
not be prepared.
Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in
Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission.
This condition may be accompanied by the CHECK
ENGINE light in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the SECOND gear or REVERSE gear
can be activated.
To engage SECOND gear or REVERSE:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the selector lever to the PARK position.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move the selector lever to the DRIVE position (for
SECOND gear), or move the selector lever to the RE-
VERSE position (for REVERSE gear).
STARTING AND OPERATING 155
5
Have the transmission checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
PARKING BRAKE
When you apply the parking brake with engine
running, the brake system warning light in the
instrument cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light, when illuminated with parking brake
application, shows only that the parking brake is on. It
does not show the degree of brake application.
NOTE:If the light remains on with the parking brake
released, a brake system malfunction is indicated. Have
the brake system serviced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. For manual transmission vehicles,
place the gear selector in REVERSE. For vehicles
equipped with automatic transmissions, place the gear
selector in the PARK position.To release the parking brake, slightly pull up the handle
while pushing the lock button, and guide the lever
downward to its stop. The brake warning light in the
instrument cluster should go out.
A warning sounds if you start to drive without having
released the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, you must set the parking brake
beforeplacing the gear selector in PARK. If you don't, the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the selector out of PARK. As an added
156 STARTING AND OPERATING
system. As a result, it is possible that only partial engine
output will be available, and pressing the accelerator
pedal will require more effort.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP will be
disabled. In this condition, both malfunction indicator
lights come on while the engine is running. If the
malfunction indicator light stays illuminated, have the
BAS and ESP checked at your authorized dealer as soon
as possible.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces wheel-
spin under various driving conditions. When ESP is
active, engine torque is limited and the ESP warning light
starts to flash.In winter operation, the effectiveness of the ESP can be
enhanced by equipping the vehicle with DaimlerChrysler
recommended mud and snow (M+S) rated radial-ply
tires and/or snow chains.
STARTING AND OPERATING 159
5