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 light status for
electronically controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Cruise control status (if applicable)
²Traction/stability control status (if applicable)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time 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.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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 forcuts 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2
If you turn the headlights, park lights, or ignition switch
on again, the system will cancel the delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of turning the ignition off to activate this feature
The Headlight delay time is programmable. For details,
refer to ªDelay Turning Headlights Off,º under ªPersonal
Settings (Customer Programmable Features),º under
ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual.
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.
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
To Activate:
Push the speed control lever inward (toward
the steering column) and release (ªON/OFFº).
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 (ªSET/DECELº). Remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal and the vehicle will
operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:
²
Speed control will only function in third, fourth, or
fifth gear when in the AutosticktMode (if equipped).
²The 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:
²Softly tap the brake pedal.
²Depress the brake pedal.
²Push the speed control lever away from you (ªCAN-
CELº).
Pushing and releasing the lever (ªON/OFFº) 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
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 101
3
9. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
NOTE:
A continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is
driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal
on.
NOTE:Check for a defective outside light bulb if either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate. (See page 93 for more
information.)
10. 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
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 45 for
more information.)11. 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 248 for more information.)
12. Electronic Stability Program (ESP)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as
little throttle as possible. Adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road condi-
tions, and do not switch off the ESP or TCS. (See page
208 for more information.)
13. 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 ªONº posi-
tion. The light should go out with the engine
running. If the light remains on after several ignition
126 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªCheck Gascapº message will display in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Tighten the fuel filler
cap properly and press the odometer reset button to turn
off the message. If the problem continues, the message
will appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
(See page 264 for more information.)
20. 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 isindicated 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, which change fluid level condi-
tions. 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
128 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
turn on in the event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair
of the ABS system is required in the event of an EBD
failure.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should turn on for approxi-
mately two seconds and then turn off. The light will
remain on if the parking brake is applied or if a brake
fault is detected. If the parking brake is not applied and
the light remains on, or if the light does not turn on, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
NOTE:The light will turn on when the ignition switch
in the ON position and the parking brake is applied. This
light shows only that the parking brake is applied. It does
not show the degree of brake application. (See page 204
for more information.)
21. Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) Indicator Light Ð
If equipped
The VSA indicator Light flashes rapidly when the VSA is
arming, and slowly when the VSA is armed. (See page 15
for more information.)
22. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pres-
sure label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires are significantly under-inflated. Ac-
cordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129
4
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will illumi-
nate in the instrument cluster, and an audible chime will
be activated when one or more tire pressures is low. The
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will flash on and
off for 60 seconds when a system fault is detected. The
flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes or until the fault
condition is removed and reset. (See page 230 for more
information.)CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. After-market wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
23. 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
130 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL