
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:
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)
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

NHigh Beam Switch....................119
NPassing Light........................119
NHeadlight Time Delay..................119
NInterior Lights.......................119
NFront Map/Reading Lights..............120
mWindshield Wipers And Washers............121
NMist...............................122
NSpeed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System . . . 122
NRain Sensing WipersÐIf Equipped.........123
mTilt Steering Column....................125
mAdjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped...........126
mElectronic Speed Control..................128
NTo Activate..........................128NTo Set At a Desired Speed...............128
NTo Deactivate........................128
NTo Resume Speed.....................129
NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............129
NTo Accelerate For Passing...............129
NDriving Up Or Down Hills..............130
mElectronic Brake Control System............131
NABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............131
NTCS (Traction Control System)............132
NBAS (Brake Assist System)...............132
NERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)..........133
NESP (Electronic Stability Program).........134
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71
3

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation), and
ESP (Electronic Stability Program). All five systems work
together to enhance vehicle stability and control in vari-
ous driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as
ESP.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
WARNING!
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions. ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
3

TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in the
ªESP Partial Offº mode. Refer to ªESP (Electronic Stabil-
ity Program)º in this section.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle's braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or roll overs, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ERM-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.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applyingthe brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The9ESP/TCS Indicator
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Light9also flashes when TCS is active. If the9ESP/TCS
Indicator Light9begins to flash during acceleration, 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.
WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESP cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, 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.
The ESP system has 2 available operating modes.
On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP. Whenever the
vehicle is started, the ESP system will be in this mode.
This mode should be used for most all driving situations.
ESP should only be turned to ªPartial Offº for specific
reasons as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
9ESP Control Switch.9When in ªPartial Off9mode, the
TCS portion of ESP, except for the ªlimited slipº feature
described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the
9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9will be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESP function normally. This mode is
intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand,
or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP
would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the9ESP Control
Switch.9This will restore the normal ªESP Onº mode of
operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the ªESP PartialOffº mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the ªESP Partial Offº
mode is overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily
depressing the ªESP Control Switch.º This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
ESP/BAS Warning Lamp and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The yellow
ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº and the yellow
ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº in the instrument
cluster both come on when the ignition switch is turned
to the ªONº position. They should go out with the engine
running.
If the ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº comes on
continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in either the ESP or
the BAS system, or both. If this light remains on
ESP Control Switch
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

8. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (r.p.m. x 1000) for each
gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up on the
accelerator.
9. Security Alarm System Indicator Light Ð If
Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for approximately 15 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower speed continuously after the alarm is set.
The security light will also come on for about three
seconds when the ignition is first turned on.
10. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle, and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
continuous chime will sound when this light turns on.Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
11. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator
Light/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
This indicator light starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº also
flashes when TCS is active. If the ªESP/TCS
Indicator Lightº begins to flash during acceleration, 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. The ªESP/TCS Indicator
Lightº will flash any time the ESP or TCS is active and
helping to improve vehicle stability. If the ªESP/TCS
Indicator Lightº is on solid, the ESP system has been
turned off by the driver or a temporary condition exists
that will not allow full ESP function.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL