Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in an accident, roll over of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury. Drive carefully.Failure to use driver and passenger seat beltsprovided
is a major cause of severe or fatal injury. In fact, the U.S.
government notes that the universal use of existing seat
belts could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or more
each year, and could reduce disabling injuries by 2
million annually. In a roll over crash an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Always buckle up.
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
Roll Over Warning Label
INTRODUCTION 5
1
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner’s manual:
6 INTRODUCTION
▫Transmitter Battery Service...............24
Remote Starting System — If Equipped........25
Door Locks............................26
▫Manual Door Locks.....................26
▫Power Door Locks — If Equipped..........27
▫Child Protection Door Lock...............28
Windows.............................29
▫Power Windows.......................29
▫Wind Buffeting........................32
Liftgate...............................32
▫Liftgate Flipper Glass...................33
▫Power Liftgate — If Equipped.............34
Occupant Restraints......................37▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.....................38
▫Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions.....39
▫Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage....42
▫Automatic Locking Mode — If Equipped.....43
▫Energy Management Feature..............43
▫Seat Belt Pretensioners...................44
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women............45
▫Seat Belt Extender......................45
▫Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS)..................46
▫Child Restraint........................57
Engine Break-In Recommendations...........67
Safety Tips............................68
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector
lever. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened when the key is in the
ignition and not turned to the ON position, a chime will
sound to remind you to remove the key.
SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIM) prevents
unauthorized operation of the vehicle by disabling the
engine. The system will shut the engine down after 2
seconds of running if an invalid key is used to start the
vehicle. This system utilizes ignition keys which have an
electronic chip (transponder) embedded into them. Only
keys that have been programmed to the vehicle can be
used to start and operate the vehicle for longer than the
2 second validation time period.
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System does not need to be
armed or activated. Operation of the system is automatic
regardless of whether or not the vehicle is locked or
unlocked. During normal operation, the SKIM indicator
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2
light will come on for 3 seconds immediately after the
ignition switch is turned on for a bulb check. Afterwards,
if the bulb remains on, this indicates a malfunction in the
electronics. If the bulb begins to flash immediately after
the ignition switch is turned on, this indicates that an
invalid key is being used to start the vehicle. Both of
these conditions will result in the engine being shut
down after 2 seconds of running. Keep in mind that a key
which has not been programmed is also considered an
invalid key even if it is cut to fit the ignition for that
vehicle.
If the SKIM indicator light comes on during normal
vehicle operation (it has been running for longer than 10
seconds) a fault has been detected in the electronics and
the vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.
NOTE:
•The Sentry Key Immobilizer System is not compatiblewith remote starting systems. Use of these systems
may result in vehicle starting problems and loss of
security protection.
•Mobil Speedpass™, additional Sentry Keys, or any
other transponder equipped components on the same
keychain will not cause a key-related (Transponder)
fault unless the additional part isphysically held
against the ignition keybeing used when starting the
vehicle. Also, cell phones, pagers, or other RF electron-
ics will not cause interference with this system.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Important Note About Service
A four digit PIN number is needed to service the Sentry
Key Immobilizer System. This number can be obtained
from your authorized dealer. However, this number can
also be found on your customer invoice that you were
given upon receipt of your vehicle.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
3. To reassemble the transmitter case, join the two halves
of the case together. Install and tighten the screw until
snug. Make sure there is an even “gap” between the two
halves. Test transmitter operation.
REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a remote starting
system, which will allow the vehicle to be started up to
300 feet (91 meters) away from the vehicle using the
remote keyless entry key fob which is part of your
ignition key.
In order to remote start your vehicle, the hood, liftgate,
and all of the doors must be closed.
To remote start your vehicle, press the “Lock” button on
the key fob once, then within three seconds press the
“Remote Start” button twice. To indicate that the vehicle
is about to start, the parking lights will flash and the horn
will sound briefly.Once the vehicle has started, the engine will run for 15
minutes. To cancel remote start, press the “Remote Start”
button twice within two seconds.
To enter the vehicle while the engine is running during a
remote start, you must first unlock the vehicle using the
“Unlock” button on the key fob. After the vehicle is
Remote Start Button
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25
2
unlocked, you have 60 seconds to enter the vehicle, insert
the key into the ignition, and move it to the RUN
position. Otherwise, the engine will cancel remote start
and automatically turn off.
Remote start will also cancel if any of the following occur:
•If the engine stalls or RPM exceeds 2500
•Any engine warning lamps come on
•The hood is opened
•The hazard switch is pressed
•The transmission is moved out of P (Park).
The vehicle can be started remotely up to a maximum of
two times. The vehicle is also allowed a maximum of one
failed start, where the remote start sequence was initiated
but cancelled before the engine begins to crank. After
either of these conditions, or if the Vehicle Theft Alarm is
alarming, or if the PANIC button was pressed, the vehicle
must be reset by inserting a valid key into the ignition
and moving it to the RUN position, then back to LOCK.
DOOR LOCKS
Manual Door Locks
Use the manual door lock plunger to lock the doors from
inside the vehicle. If the plunger is down when the door
is closed, the door will lock. Therefore, make sure the
keys are not inside the vehicle before closing the door.
WARNING!
•For personal security and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors when you drive as
well as when you park and leave the vehicle.
•When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause severe per-
sonal injuries and death.
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
provided to the custodial entity upon request. General
data that does not identify particular vehicles or crashes
may be released for incorporation in aggregate crash
databases, such as those maintained by the US govern-
ment and various states. Data of a potentially sensitive
nature, such as would identify a particular driver, ve-
hicle, or crash, will be treated confidentially. Confidential
data will not be disclosed by DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion 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 Corporation product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by lawData Parameters that May Be Recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
•Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
•Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE