
NHeated Seats (If Equipped)...............83
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............84
mInterior Lights.........................85
NFront Map/Reading Lights...............85
NBattery Saver Feature...................85
NInstrument Panel Lighting................86
NNight Security Illumination...............86
mExterior Lights.........................86
NHeadlights And Parking Lights............86
NDaytime Running Lights (Where Applicable) . . .87
NFog Lights (If Equipped).................87
NStanding Lights.......................87
mMultifunction Control Lever...............88
NTurn Signals..........................88
NHeadlight Dimmer Switch................89
NPassing Light.........................90NWindshield Wipers And Washer............90
NMist Function.........................91
mTelescoping Steering Column..............92
mTire Pressure Monitor System (If Equipped)...93
mRear Spoiler...........................96
mBrake Assist System (BAS)................98
mElectronic Stability Program (ESP)...........99
NSynchronizing ESP....................101
mElectronic Speed Control.................102
NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............103
NTo Deactivate........................104
NTo Resume Speed.....................104
NUsing Speed Control On Hills............105
mGarage Door Opener (If Equipped).........105
NProgramming The Universal Transceiver.....106
NGate Operator/Canadian Programming.....108
60 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Backrest Tilt
²
Turn handwheel 2 forward or backward to adjust the
backrest tilt to your desired position which allows
your arms to slightly bend when holding the steering
wheel.
Head Restraint Height
WARNING!
For your protection, drive only with properly posi-
tioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to help re-
duce injuries during and accident.
²Adjust the height of the head restraints by pulling
them upwards manually.
²For a lower position, press release button 1 and push
down on the head restraints manually.
Adjust to a comfortable seating position that still allows
you to reach the accelerator and brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as possible, consistent
with ability to properly operate controls.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
3

Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are left on after the
ignition is turned off, a warning will sound if the driver's
door is opened.
Daytime Running Lights (Where Applicable)
VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The low beam headlights, parking lights, side marker
lights, taillights and license plate lights are automatically
switched on whenever the vehicle is started and the
transmission gear selector is in a driving position.
VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The low beam headlights, parking lights, side marker
lights, taillights, and license plate lights are automatically
switched on whenever the vehicle is started and the
parking brake is released.
For nighttime driving, the exterior lights switch should
be in the low beam position to permit activation of the
high beam headlights.
Fog Lights (If Equipped)
To operate the fog lights, pull the headlight
switch out one stop, with the parking lights
and/or low beam headlights on. A light to the
lower left of the headlight switch will illumi-
nate when the fog lights are on.
To turn off the fog lights, push the headlight switch in
fully. Selecting high beam headlights will also turn off the
fog lights.
Standing Lights
When the vehicle is parked on the street, the standing
lights (left or right side parking lights) can be turned on,
making your vehicle more visible to passing vehicles.
To operate the standing lights, turn the headlight switch
counterclockwise one stop (right lamps) or two stops (left
lamps) from the OFF position. To turn off the standing
lights, return the headlight switch to the OFF position.
The standing lights cannot be operated when the ignition
switch is in the ON/RUN position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

WARNING!
Do not drive the vehicle at speeds above 62 mph (100
km/h) if the red spoiler warning indicator is illumi-
nated. You could have reduced vehicle stability and
control.
WARNING!
Keep hands and fingers away from the spoiler and
spoiler linkage when the spoiler is deploying or
retracting. The linkage could pinch your fingers and
cause serious injury.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (BAS)
WARNING!
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of
the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety or
the safety of others.
The BAS is designed to maximize the vehicle's braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system applies maximum power boost to the brakes
more quickly in emergency braking conditions than
might otherwise be afforded solely by the driver's brak-
ing style. This can help reduce braking distances. The
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

BAS complements the antilock brake system (ABS). Ap-
plying the brakes very quickly results in maximum BAS
assistance. To receive the benefit of the system, you must
apply continuous full braking power during the stopping
sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
The malfunction indicator lamp for the Electronic Stabil-
ity Program is combined with the BAS. The yellow
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light in the instrument
cluster and the yellow ESP warning light in the speed-
ometer dial come on with the key in the ignition switchturned to the ON/RUN position. They should go out
with the engine running. If the BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator light comes on continuously with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected in either sys-
tem.
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)
WARNING!
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
afforded. The ESP cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in turns, 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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 99
3

The ESP enhances directional control and reduces driving
wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving condi-
tions.
The ESP system corrects for over/understeering of the
vehicle by applying brakes to the appropriate wheel.
Engine torque is also limited. The ESP warning light,
located in the instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.To improve the vehicle's traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off the ESP system by pressing the upper half of
the ESP switch.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable. ESP al-
ways operates under braking, even with the switch in the
OFF position. If one drive wheel loses traction and begins
to spin, the brake is applied by the ESP system until the
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

wheel regains sufficient traction. The traction control
engages at approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and
switches off at 50 mph (80 km/h).
If the ESP warning light begins to flash during accelera-
tion, 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. When the ESP warning
light is illuminated continuously, the ESP is switched off.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP,
press the lower half of the switch (the ESP warning light
in the speedometer dial goes out). Avoid spinning one
drive wheel. This may cause serious damage to the drive
train and is not covered by the DaimlerChrysler war-
ranty.
CAUTION!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in the ignition switch to
the OFF/LOCK or ACC position). Otherwise the ESP
will immediately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery discon-
nected or discharged), the BAS/ESP malfunction indica-
tor light may be illuminated with the engine running. To
re-synchronize the ESP, and cancel the malfunction indi-
cator light, the steering angle sensor will need to be
recalibrated.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
2. Rotate the steering wheel to the center position.
3. Rotate the steering wheel completely to the left, and
then rotate the steering wheel completely to the right.
4. Bring the steering wheel back to the center position.
5. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light will go out.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light is still illumi-
nated, the vehicle should be serviced at an authorized
dealer.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 101
3

To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, or normal brake pressure
while slowing the vehicle, will deactivate the speed
control without erasing the memory. Pushing the speed
control lever forward or turning the key in the ignition
switch to the OFF/LOCK position will turn off the speed
control and erase the memory.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, pull the speed control
lever toward you, and then release. The resume feature
can be used at any speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
NOTE:Moving the gear selector lever to the ªNº
position will switch the speed control off (automatic
transmission only).
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE