
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

Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................... 265
Child Restraint...................46,48,50,52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........49,50
Child Safety Locks....................... 23
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 238
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 289
Climate Control........................ 174
Clock..........................146,152,163
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 174
Compass............................. 136
Compass Calibration.................... 136
Compass Variance...................... 137
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 134
Console.............................. 115
Console, Floor......................... 115
Console, Overhead...................... 103
Contract, Service....................... 330
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)........ 281
Cooling System........................ 278
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 280
Coolant Capacity..................... 304Coolant Level.....................278,282
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 281
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 279
Inspection........................... 282
Points to Remember................... 282
Pressure Cap........................ 281
Radiator Cap........................ 281
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....279,304,305
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 100
Cruise Light........................... 124
Cup Holder........................ 114,291
Customer Assistance.................... 328
Data Recorder, Event..................... 45
Daytime Running Lights.................. 92
Dealer Service......................... 266
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 185
Defroster, Windshield...............57,176,181
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................ 96
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 264
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 93
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 281
338 INDEX

Door Locks............................ 20
Door Locks, Automatic................... 22
Door Opener, Garage.................... 104
Drive Belts............................ 270
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 202
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 166
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 64
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 112
Electronic Brake Control System............ 208
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 100
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 209
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light..... 124
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 132
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 257
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 248
Jump Starting........................ 254
Overheating......................... 248
Towing............................. 258
Emission Control System Maintenance....265,308
Engine............................... 263Air Cleaner.......................... 271
Block Heater......................... 192
Break-In Recommendations............... 54
Checking Oil Level.................... 267
Compartment........................ 263
Coolant (Antifreeze)................278,305
Cooling............................ 278
Exhaust Gas Caution................55,240
Fails to Start......................... 191
Flooded, Starting..................... 191
Fuel Requirements.................237,304
Oil ..........................267,304,305
Oil Change Interval................... 268
Oil Filler Cap........................ 269
Oil Selection......................269,304
Overheating......................... 248
Temperature Gauge................... 125
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 44
Ethanol.............................. 238
Event Data Recorder..................... 45
Exhaust Gas Caution.............55,56,240,278
Exhaust System......................55,278
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 63
INDEX 339
10

Instrument Panel and Controls............. 122
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 290
Interior Appearance Care................. 289
Interior Fuses.......................... 291
Interior Lights.......................... 94
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers).......... 96
Introduction............................ 4
Jump Starting......................... 254
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 13
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer).................. 12
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 17
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 37
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 93
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 29
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)...........................49,50
Latch Plate............................ 30Latches............................... 57
Hood............................... 89
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 237
Life of Tires........................... 225
Lights..............................57,90
Airbag.......................42,45,57,126
Anti-Lock........................130,206
Automatic Headlights................... 90
Brake Assist Warning.................. 213
Brake Warning....................128,204
Bulb Replacement..................... 298
Courtesy/Reading..................94,103
Cruise............................. 124
Daytime Running...................... 92
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 93
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . 213
Electronic Throttle Control Warning....... 124
Engine Temperature Warning............ 126
Fog .............................92,127
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 248
Headlight Switch...................... 90
Headlights........................... 90
Headlights On With Wipers............91,97
342 INDEX

Shoulder Belts.......................... 29
Side Airbag............................ 42
Signals, Turn........................93,126
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 202
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 227
Snow Tires............................ 228
Spark Plugs........................... 270
Speed Control (Cruise Control)............. 100
Speedometer.......................... 124
Starting.............................. 190
Automatic Transmission................ 190
Engine Fails to Start................... 191
Starting and Operating................... 190
Starting Procedures..................... 190
Steering
Column Controls...................... 93
Linkage............................ 276
Power...........................207,276
Tilt Column.......................... 98
Wheel, Tilt........................... 98
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 171
Storage............................ 115,297Storage, Vehicle.....................182,297
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 297
Sun Roof............................. 109
Sunglasses Storage...................... 104
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 37
System, Navigation..................... 162
Tachometer........................... 124
Telescoping Steering Column............... 98
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)....... 177
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......125,249
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............. 49
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 15
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 15
Tilt Steering Column..................... 98
Tire and Loading Information Placard.....217,218
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 216
Tire Markings......................... 213
Tire Safety Information................... 213
TIREFIT.............................. 249
Tires ...........................57,221,332
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 225
Air Pressure......................... 221
INDEX 347
10