NUsing The Panic Alarm..................25
NProgramming Additional Transmitters........26
NBattery Replacement....................26
NGeneral Information....................27
mRemote Starting System Ð If Equipped........27
NHow To Use Remote Start................28
mDoor Locks............................29
NManual Door Locks.....................29
NPower Door Locks.....................30
mWindows.............................32
NPower Windows.......................32
NWind Buffeting........................36
mTrunk Lock And Release...................36mTrunk Safety Warning.....................38
NTrunk Emergency Release................38
mOccupant Restraints......................39
NLap/Shoulder Belts.....................40
NLap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure.....44
NSeat Belt Pretensioners...................45
NEnhanced Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlertt) ..........................45
NAutomatic Locking Mode................47
NSeat Belts And Pregnant Women............47
NSeat Belt Extender......................48
NDriver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag............48
NEvent Data Recorder (EDR)...............60
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
²When the system is armed, the interior power door
lock switches will not unlock the doors.
The VSA system is designed to protect your vehicle;
however, you can create conditions where the system will
give you a false alarm. If one of the previously described
arming sequences has occurred, the system will arm
regardless of whether you are in the vehicle or not. If you
remain in the vehicle and open a door, the alarm will
sound. If this occurs, disarm the system.
If the alarm system is armed and the battery becomes
disconnected the system will remain armed when the
battery is reconnected. The exterior lights will flash, the
horn will sound, and the ignition will not start the
vehicle. If this occurs, disarm the system.Tamper Alert
If something has triggered the alarm in your absence, and
the warning signals have timed out, the park and tail-
lights will flash three times when unlocking the vehicle
with a valid RKE transmitter.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The courtesy/reading lights will turn on when you use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or open
either door.
This feature also turns on the approach lighting (if so
equipped). For details, refer to ªIlluminated Approach,º
under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable Fea-
tures),º under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Programming Additional Transmitters
Refer to SENTRY KEYtªCustomer Key Programming.º
If you do not have a programmed transmitter, contact
your dealer for details.
Battery Replacement
The recommended replacement battery is CR2032.
NOTE:
²Perchlorate Material Ð special handling may apply.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
²Do not touch the battery terminals that are on the back
housing or the printed circuit board.
1. With the transmitter buttons facing down, use a flat
blade tool to pry the two halves of the transmitter apart.
Make sure not to damage the seal during removal.2. Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To assemble the transmitter case, snap the two halves
together.
Battery Service
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:The vehicle must be equipped with an auto-
matic transaxle to be equipped with Remote Start.
How To Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:
²Gear selector lever in PARK.
²Doors closed.
²Hood closed.
²Trunk closed.
²Hazard switch off.
²Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed).
²Ignition key removed from ignition switch.
²Battery at an acceptable charge level.
²RKE Panic button not pressed.
To Enter Remote Start Mode
Press and release the Remote Start button on
the RKE transmitter twice. The engine will start
and the vehicle will remain in the Remote Start
mode for a 15 minute cycle.
NOTE:
²For security, power window operation is disabled
when the vehicle is in the Remote Start mode.
²The engine can be started two consecutive times (two
15 minute cycles) with the RKE transmitter. However,
the ignition switch must be cycled to the ON position
before you can repeat the start sequence for a third
cycle.
To Exit Remote Start Mode without Driving the
Vehicle
Allow the engine to run for the entire 15 minute cycle.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:ANTI-PINCH PROTECTION
²If the window runs into any obstacle during auto-
closure, it will reverse direction and then stop. Remove
the obstacle and use the window switch again to close
the window.
²Any impact due to rough road conditions may trigger
the auto reverse function unexpectedly during auto-
closure. If this happens, pull the switch lightly to the
first detent and hold to close window manually.
WARNING!
There is no anti-pinch protection when the window
is almost closed. To avoid personal injury, be sure to
clear your arms, hands, fingers and all objects from
the window path before closing.
Reset Auto Up
If the vehicle battery goes dead, the auto feature will be
disabled. To reactivate the auto feature, perform the
following steps after vehicle power is restored:
1. Make sure the convertible top is closed (raised and
latched).
2. Pull the window switch up to close window com-
pletely and continue to hold the switch up for an
additional two seconds after the window is closed.
3. Push the window switch down firmly to open the
window completely and continue to hold the switch
down for an additional two seconds after the window is
fully open.
Window Lockout Switch
The window lockout switch on the driver's door trim
panel allows you to disable the window control on the
passenger door. To disable the window control on the
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
2
²Driver Airbag Special Features
Driver airbag deployment and force level is controlled by
the driver's seat position as well as impact severity. Use
of special inflators, result in a very compact driver's
airbag.
In addition to the small size, the inflating gasses exit
through strategically placed vents, which direct the gas
away from the occupant.
²Front Passenger Airbag Special Features
A new active venting front-passenger airbag is designed
to reduce the risk of occupants who may be out of
position by the use of active vents positioned on each
side of the airbag.
²Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) is part of a
Federally regulated safety system required for this ve-
hicle.The ORC determines if a frontal collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
sensor signals, a central electronic ORC deploys the front
airbags, front seat mounted side and head airbags, and
front seat belt pretensioners as required for each type of
impact.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or ON position. These include all of the items listed
above except the steering wheel and column, instrument
panel, and passenger knee bolsters. If the key is in the
LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the
ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
will deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment,
with the vehicle stopped, and the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced
Accident Response System performs the following func-
tions:
²Cuts off fuel to the engine.
²Flashes hazard lights.
²Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
²Unlocks the doors automatically.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
fuses. Refer to ªFusesº in this manual for fuse location
information. See your authorized dealer for service.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see the following list) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment, or near
deployment, and up to a quarter second of high-speed
deceleration data during and/or after airbag deploy-
ment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag
sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indica-
tive of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag
deployment.
2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by DaimlerChrysler Corporation and others to learn
more about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, such investigations may
be requested by customers, insurance carriers, govern-
ment officials, and professional crash researchers, such as
those associated with universities, and with hospital and
insurance organizations.
In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation (regardless of initiative),
the company or its designated representative will first
obtain permission of the appropriate custodial entity for
the vehicle (usually the vehicle owner or lessee) before
accessing the electronic data stored, unless ordered to
download data by a court with legal jurisdiction (i.e.,
pursuant to a warrant). A copy of the data will be
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE