will not inflate. For most children properly seated on the
front seat and most properly installed child restraint
systems, the airbag will be disabled and the PAD indica-
tor light will be on. However, under certain conditions
even with the child restraint system has been installed
properly, the PAD indicator light may not be on even
though the air bag is disabled. This can occur if the child
restraint is lighter than the threshold weight necessary to
turn the PAD indicator light on. If this happens to you,
you can check to ensure the airbag is disabled by
performing the following simple procedure. Place the
ignition key in the RUN position and apply downward
pressure to the child restraint on the surface that the child
will be sitting on. Slowly count to 10 and watch the PAD
indicator light. The PAD indicator light should turn on.
When you release the pressure, the PAD indicator light
may stay on or may turn off but the airbag is disabled. If
at all possible, place children 12 years and younger in a
back seat.The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired.
²Always use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fas-
tener be modified or replaced with any part except
those which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/
Mopar.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Unapproved modifications or service procedures
to the front passenger seat assembly, its related
components, or seat cover may inadvertently
change the airbag deployment in case of a frontal
crash. This could result in death or serious injury
to the front seat passenger if the vehicle is in-
volved in an accident. A modified vehicle may not
comply with required Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards (FMVSS).
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact blocker.
²You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is danger-
ous to try to repair any part of the airbag system
yourself. Don't try to repair the airbag system. Be
sure to tell anyone who works on your vehicle that
it has airbags.The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired.
²Always use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fas-
tener be modified or replaced with any part except
those which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/
Mopar.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new Crossfire does not require a long
break-in period. Following these few simple guidelines is
all that is necessary for a good break-in.
²Drive your vehicle at moderate vehicle and engine
speeds during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
²Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
²Use the proper transmission gear for your speed
range.
²Avoid excessive idling.
²Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not an
indication of a problem.
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.
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2
²To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the rear liftgate/decklid while driving. However, if for
some reason it must remain open, close all windows.
Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
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, see your authorized dealer.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for
four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not litduring 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 pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing 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 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 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.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
5. Continue to press and hold the universal transceiver
button while you press and release every two seconds
(ªcycleº) your hand-held transmitter until the frequency
signal has successfully been accepted by the universal
transmitter. (The indicator light will flash slowly and
then rapidly.) Proceed with Programming Step 6 to
complete.
Using the Universal Transceiver
To operate the universal transceiver, simply press and
release the programmed button. Activation will now
occur for the programmed device (i.e. garage door
opener, gate operator, security system, entry door lock,
home/office lighting, etc.) For convenience, the hand-
held transmitter of the device may also be used at any
time.
Erasing Universal Transceiver Buttons
To erase programming from the three buttons (individual
buttons cannot be erased but can be reprogrammed ± see
below), follow this procedure:
²Press and hold the two outer universal transceiver
buttons until the indicator light begins to flash after 20
seconds. Release both buttons. Do not hold for longerthan 30 seconds. The universal transceiver is now in
the program (or learning) mode and can be pro-
grammed at any time beginning with Programming
Step 4.
Reprogramming a Single Button
To program a device using a universal transceiver button
previously programmed, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired universal transceiver but-
ton. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds.
Without releasing the universal transceiver button, pro-
ceed with Programming Step 4.
Security
If you sell your vehicle, be sure to erase the frequencies.
To erase all of the previously programmed frequencies,
hold down both outside buttons until the light begins to
flash.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109
3
or while driving when reaching the service warning
threshold. It can be canceled manually by pressing the
knob/button.
Once the suggested term has passed, the message plus
either the symbol for Service A or the symbol for
Service B preceded by a ± (minus symbol) blinks for
approximately 30 seconds and a signal sounds every
time when turning the key to the ON/RUN position.
The FSS display can also be called up for approxi-
mately 10 seconds with the display illuminated by
pressing the knob/button twice within one second.
Following a completed A or B service your authorized
dealer sets the counter to 7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000
km).
NOTE:When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or
more days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any
such days not counted by FSS can be added by your
authorized dealer.
The interval between services is determined by the type
of vehicle operation. Driving at extreme speeds, and coldstarts combined with short distance driving in which the
engine does not reach normal operating temperature,
reduce the interval between services.
However you choose to set your reference numbers, the
scheduled services as posted in the Service Booklet must
be followed to properly care for your vehicle.
23. Outside Temperature Display
The temperature display is located on the left side of the
instrument cluster, below the fuel and engine tempera-
ture gauges.
The sensor for the outside temperature indicator is
located in the front fascia area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine heat during
idling or slow driving. This means that the accuracy of
the displayed temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays (e.g., bank signs, etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and- go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
122 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Audio (AUD) Settings
²
Bass (BASS)
Press the AUD button repeatedly until BASS appears.
Rotate the right rotary control for the desired level
(from -9 to +9).
²Treble (TREB)
Press the AUD button repeatedly until TREB appears.
Rotate the right rotary control for the desired level
(from -9 to +9).
²Balance (BAL)
Press the AUD button repeatedly until BAL appears.
Rotate the right rotary control for the desired level
(from -9 to +9).
²Linear adjustment (LINEAR)
The tone values for the set signal source (e.g., radio/
FM) are set to ª0º (mean value). Press and hold the
AUD button for more than 4 seconds until FM LIN-
EAR appears (which affects FM only). Press and holdthe AUD button for more than eight seconds until ALL
LINEAR appears (which affects both radio and CD).
²Mute function (MUTE)
To activate the mute function in all modes and wave-
bands, press the TP button. The mute function is
cancelled by either pressing the TP button again, or by
turning the volume control.
NOTE:After six seconds without any action, or by
pressing OPT, CD, AM, FM, or TP, the current setting is
cancelled, and the new setting is stored.
FM1 ± FM2 ± FM AS ± BEST FM
The system has four FM memory modes that can be
selected by repeatedly pressing the FM button.
FM1 ± One of ten memorized FM station frequencies can
be selected by pressing a multifunction button.
FM2 ± A second set of ten memorized FM station
frequencies can be selected by pressing a multifunction
button.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 127
4
FM AS ± An autostore feature will store the 9 current
stations with the strongest signal on station buttons 1-9 in
the order of their signal quality.
Press the FM button repeatedly until FM AS is displayed
to perform an autostore scan. Press the multifunction
button labeled AS repeatedly until AS-SEEK is displayed.
To select the stored stations, press the 1-9 buttons.
BEST FM ± The BEST FM function automatically memo-
rizes and continuously updates the frequencies of sta-
tions in order of their signal strength.
The strongest station comes up first when BEST FM is
selected. Stations with stronger or weaker signals are
selected by turning the right rotary knob.
To select the displayed station, press the right rotary
control/push button.
Tuning FM stations ± Rotating the right rotary control to
the right or left will change the FM frequency to the next
higher or lower station with a strong signal. To manually
step through each frequency or tune in a station with a
weaker signal, press the MAN button first, and then
rotate the rotary control right or left.Storing FM stations ± 10 frequencies can be stored on FM
1 and on FM 2 by pressing a multifunction button for
three seconds; a tone will confirm that the selection was
set.
Scan Search FM (SC) ± To activate, press the right rotary
control/push button until SC is displayed.
Beginning with the currently set frequency, the next
station scanned will be heard for eight seconds. Press the
right rotary control/push button if you wish to keep the
current station. Once the scan begins, it will continue
until either a station or program is retained or until
another mode is selected.
Radio Data System (RDS) Stations
PTY (Program Type)
The program type of the selected station can be displayed
for 10 seconds, or scanned in order of ascending fre-
quency for eight seconds each.
To activate, press the OPT button in FM mode, then press
the multifunction PT button. You can pre-select one of the
128 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL