identify a particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be
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:
²Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
²Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
²Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times Ð 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.
104 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at approximately either 30 mph (40 km/h ) or
35 mph (56 km/h) depending on the model or engine
size. The speed control lever is located on the right side of
the steering wheel.
To Activate:
Push the ON/OFF button. The CRUISE indicator in the
instrument cluster will illuminate. To turn the system
OFF, push the ON/OFF button a second time. The
CRUISE indicator will turn off. The system should be
turned OFF when not in use.
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 are not using it.
Speed Controls
190 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
5. Tachometer
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
6. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
7. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster will display,
replacing the odometer/trip odometer, vehicle warning
messages such as: door/deck/hatch/gate ajar and loose
gas cap. Loose gas cap will be displayed from the
Odometer/Trip Odometer on all models.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the instru-
ment cluster, all warnings including ªdoorº, ªdECKº,ªhATChº, and ªgATEº will only be displayed in the
EVIC display. For additional information, refer to ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center Ð If Equippedº in
Section 3.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
8. Cruise Indicator Ð If Equipped
This indicator shows that the Speed Control
System is ON. (See page 190 for more informa-
tion.)
NOTE:The word ªSETºwill notilluminate when the
Speed Control System is on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 225
4
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 383
Coolant Level......................382,385
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 384
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 382
Inspection........................... 385
Points to Remember.................384,385
Pressure Cap......................... 384
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)........... 382
Corrosion Protection..................... 393
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 374
Cruise Light........................... 225
Cup Holder............................ 205
Customer Assistance..................... 440
Data Recorder, Event...................68,102
Dealer Service.......................... 367
Deck Lid (Convertible)..................... 39
Deck Lid, Emergency Release Latch (Convertible) . . 42
Deck Lid, Power Release (Convertible)......... 40Defroster, Rear Window................... 215
Defroster, Windshield............... 114,270,271
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 188
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 364
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 185
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 384
Engine Oil........................... 371
Door Locks............................. 18
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 20
Door Opener, Garage..................... 193
Downshifting.......................... 293
Drive Belts............................ 372
Driver's Seat Back Tilt.................... 163
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 352
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 215
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 133
INDEX 453
10
Electrical Power Outlets................... 202
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 190
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 231
Emergency Deck Lid Release Latch (Convertible) . . 42
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 344
Jump Starting......................... 350
Towing............................. 354
Emergency Seat Back Release (Sedan).......... 40
Emission Control System Maintenance......365,414
Engine............................362,363
Break-In Recommendations............... 112
Checking Oil Level..................... 368
Cooling............................. 381
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 325
Fuel Requirements..................... 321
Jump Starting......................... 350
Oil ...........................368,410,411
Oil Change Interval.................... 369Oil Filler Cap...................362,363,370
Oil Filter............................ 411
Oil Selection.......................... 370
Oil Synthetic......................... 371
Overheating.......................... 342
Temperature Gauge..................... 224
Timing Belt.......................... 374
Event Data Recorder...................68,102
Exhaust Gas Caution.........38,39,113,325,380,381
Exhaust System......................... 380
Fabric Care............................ 396
Filler Location Fuel...................... 224
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 375
Engine Fuel.......................... 374
Engine Oil........................371,411
Flashers.............................. 342
Hazard Warning....................... 342
454 INDEX
Sentry Key (Immobilizer).................15,36
Sentry Key Programming................... 17
Service and Maintenance.................. 414
Service Assistance....................... 440
Service Contract......................... 442
Service Manuals........................ 444
Setting the Clock..................240,244,252
Settings, Personal........................ 234
Severe Service.......................... 417
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle.............. 292
Shoulder Belts.........................46,81
Side Airbag...........................64,98
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters).......... 276
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 352
Snow Tires............................ 320
Spare Tire.......................314,315,345
Spark Plugs............................ 372
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........190,225
Speedometer........................... 224Speedometer and Odometer................ 221
Starting............................... 280
Automatic Transmission................. 280
Engine Fails to Start.................... 282
Manual Transmission................... 281
Starting Procedures...................... 280
Steering
Power...........................299,378
Tilt Column.......................... 189
Wheel Lock........................... 18
Storage............................206,404
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 353
Sun Roof.............................. 200
Sun Visor Extension...................... 134
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag......54,88
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 371
Tachometer............................ 225
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......224,343
INDEX 463
10