The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired.
²Always use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopart.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fastenerbe modified or replaced with any part except those
which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopart.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for
your protection in case of a collision. While the
airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the
system immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the four seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the four second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2
WARNING!
After installing a child safety seat or booster seat on the
passenger seat, do not adjust the back rest forward. This
could cause a higher load being perceived by the OCS
system which in turn could lead to the passenger airbag
being turned on. Failure to follow this warning could
result in serious or fatal injury. It is always recom-
mended to turn off the passenger front air bags using
the passenger front airbags on/off switch located at the
right end of the instrument panel when the passenger is:
²an infant (less than 1 year old),
²a child, age 1 to 12,
²an adult with a medical condition which makes
passenger airbags inflation (deployment) a greater
risk for the passenger than the risk of hitting the
dashboard (instrument panel) or windshield in a
crash.
The on/off switch is accessible by opening the passen-
ger door.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
Child restraints can be securely fastened in the passenger
seat using the seat belts. For this purpose, the passenger
seat belt retractor provides two modes of operation -
normal emergency locking and automatic locking. For
child restraint installation, the retractor switches to auto-
matic locking when the belt is pulled out to the full extent
of its travel. As the belt retracts, the retractor locks to
prevent the belt from being pulled out again. Pulling the
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new vehicle does not require a long
break-in period. Following these few simple guidelines is
all that is necessary for a good break-in.
²Drive your vehicle at moderate vehicle and engine
speeds during the first 1,000 mi (1 600 km).
²Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
²Use the proper transmission gear for your speed
range.
²Avoid excessive idling.
²Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not an
indication of a problem.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO follow
the safety tips below.
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2
²To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the rear liftgate/decklid while driving. However, if for
some reason it must remain open, close all windows.
Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt or
retractor condition, see your authorized dealer.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for
four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing the blower control
on high speed. You should be able to feel the air directed
against the windshield. See your authorized dealer for
service if your defroster is inoperable.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Using the Universal Transceiver
To operate the universal transceiver, simply press and
release the programmed button. Activation will now
occur for the programmed device (i.e., garage door
opener, gate operator, security system, entry door lock,
home/office lighting, etc.) For convenience, the hand-
held transmitter of the device may also be used at any
time.
Erasing Universal Transceiver Buttons
To erase programming from the three buttons (individual
buttons cannot be erased but can be reprogrammed ± see
below), follow this procedure:
²Press and hold the two outer universal transceiver
buttons until the indicator light begins to flash after 20
seconds. Release both buttons. Do not hold for longer
than 30 seconds. The universal transceiver is now inthe program (or learning) mode and can be pro-
grammed at any time beginning with Programming
Step 4.
Reprogramming a Single Button
To program a device using a universal transceiver button
previously programmed, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired universal transceiver but-
ton. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds.
Without releasing the universal transceiver button, pro-
ceed with Programming Step 4.
Security
If you sell your vehicle, be sure to erase the frequencies.
To erase all of the previously programmed frequencies,
hold down both outside buttons until the light begins to
flash.
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
the displayed temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays (e.g., bank signs, etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and- go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
WARNING!
The outside temperature indicator is not designed to
serve as an ice-warning device and is unsuitable for
that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface
is free of ice.24. Airbag Light
The operational readiness of the airbag system
is verified by the airbag indicator light in the
instrument cluster when turning the key in the
ignition switch to the ACC or ON/RUN posi-
tion. If no fault is detected, the light will go out after
approximately four seconds. After the lamp goes out, the
system continues to monitor the components and cir-
cuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a malfunc-
tion by coming on again.
The light will come on and remain on for four seconds as
a bulb check when the ignition switch is first turned ON.
If the bulb is not lit during starting, have it replaced. If
the light stays on, or comes on while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
The unit can also be operated without the ignition switch
turned on by pressing the ON/OFF knob, but it will
switch off automatically after one hour.
The volume is controlled by rotating the ON/OFF knob
to the left or right.
Audio (AUD) Settings
²
Bass (BASS)
Press the AUD button repeatedly until BASS appears.
Rotate the right rotary control for the desired level
(from -9 to +9).
²Treble (TREB)
Press the AUD button repeatedly until TREB appears.
Rotate the right rotary control for the desired level
(from -9 to +9).
²Balance (BAL)Press the AUD button repeatedly until BAL appears.
Rotate the right rotary control for the desired level
(from -9 to +9).
²Linear adjustment (LINEAR)
The tone values for the set signal source (e.g., radio/
FM) are set to ª0º (mean value). Press and hold the
AUD button for more than four seconds until FM
LINEAR appears (which affects FM only). Press and
hold the AUD button for more than eight seconds until
ALL LINEAR appears (which affects both radio and
CD).
²Mute function (MUTE)
To activate the mute function in all modes and wave-
bands, press the TP button. The mute function is
cancelled by either pressing the TP button again, or by
turning the volume control.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 145
4
NOTE:After six seconds without any action, or by
pressing OPT, CD, AM, FM, or TP, the current setting is
cancelled, and the new setting is stored.
FM1 ± FM2 ± FM AS ± BEST FM
The system has four FM memory modes that can be
selected by repeatedly pressing the FM button.
FM1 ± One of ten memorized FM station frequencies can
be selected by pressing a multifunction button.
FM2 ± A second set of ten memorized FM station
frequencies can be selected by pressing a multifunction
button.
FM AS ± An autostore feature will store the 9 current
stations with the strongest signal on station buttons 1-9 in
the order of their signal quality.
Press the FM button repeatedly until FM AS is displayed
to perform an autostore scan. Press the multifunctionbutton labeled AS repeatedly until AS-SEEK is displayed.
To select the stored stations, press the 1-9 buttons.
BEST FM ± The BEST FM function automatically memo-
rizes and continuously updates the frequencies of sta-
tions in order of their signal strength.
The strongest station comes up first when BEST FM is
selected. Stations with stronger or weaker signals are
selected by turning the right rotary knob.
To select the displayed station, press the right rotary
control/push button.
Tuning FM stations ± Rotating the right rotary control to
the right or left will change the FM frequency to the next
higher or lower station with a strong signal. To manually
step through each frequency or tune in a station with a
weaker signal, press the MAN button first, and then
rotate the rotary control right or left.
146 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL