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•TheSide Impact (SRS) Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
(If Equipped) are designed to activate only in certain
side collisions.
The ORC determines if a side collision is severe
enough to require the side airbags to inflate.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or ON positions. These include all of the items previously
mentioned.
In moderate to severe side collisions, the side airbag
inflator on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered,
releasing a quantity of nontoxic gas. The inflating side
airbag exits through the seat seam into the space between
the occupant and the door. The side airbag moves at a
very high speed and with such a high force, that it could
injure you if you are not seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side airbag inflates. This
especially applies to children.•The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the
Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) Module detects a
moderate-to-severe frontal collision, to help restrain the
driver and front passenger, and then to immediately
deflate.
NOTE: A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
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Enhanced Accident Response Feature
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. The hazard
lights will flash and the fuel will be cut off to the engine.
In addition, after the vehicle has stopped moving, the
interior lights will illuminate to aid visibility and remain
lit until the ignition switch is turned off.
NOTE:The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
• Modifications 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 or vehicle body structure.
• You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
• It 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.
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NOTE:Perchlorate Material – special handling may
apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
•Does not come on during the six to eight seconds after
the ignition switch is first turned on.
•Remains on after the six to eight second interval.
•Comes on for any period of time while driving.
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, and up to a
quarter-second of high-speed deceleration data during
and/or after airbag deployment or near-deployment.
EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys, or
nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
•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.
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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 leasee) 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
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 U.S. 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
Corporation 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 law
Data 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)
•Time
of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
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Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a indicator check when the ignition switch is
first turned on. If the indicator is not lit during starting,
have it serviced. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
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 inoper-
able.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
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Next, locate handle in middle of the front end of the
hood. Insert hand into gap between hood and top of
grille, and push handle to the side to raise hood. You may
have to push down slightly on the hood before pushing
the handle. Insert the support rod into the slot on the
hood panel.
To close the hood, remove the support rod from the hood
panel and place it in the retaining clip. Lower the hood
slowly. Secure both of the hood latches.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are latched fully before
driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lights
The overhead light will come on when a door is opened.
It may also be turned on by rotating the control for the
dimmer switch on the multifunction control lever fully
upward.
The overhead light will automatically turn off in about 20
minutes if a door is left open or the dimmer control is left
in the dome light position. Turn the ignition switch ON to
restore the overhead light operation.
Cargo Lamp
The courtesy and dome lights will turn on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the right side of the switch) is rotated to the
upward detent position, or if equipped, when the UN-
LOCK button is pressed on the RKE key fob.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
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NOTE:Lens fogging can occur under certain atmo-
spheric conditions. This will usually clear as atmospheric
conditions change to allow the condensation to change
back into a vapor. Turning the lamps on will usually
accelerate the clearing process. To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the center portion of the multifunction control
lever up or down.
NOTE:
If the driver’s door is left open, and the head-
lights or parking lights are left on, the High Beam
Indicator Light will remain illuminated and a chime will
sound.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Push the multifunction control lever away from you to
switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the lever to-
wards you to switch the headlights back to low beam.
Headlight Switch
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
CAUTION!
In cold weather, always turn off the wiper switch and
allow the wipers to return to the park position before
turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to
the wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is
restarted.
Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause be-
tween cycles, desirable. Move the lever to the DELAY
position, then select the delay interval by turning the end
of the lever. The delay can be regulated from a maximum
of approximately 18 seconds between cycles, to a cycle
every second.
Windshield Wiper Operation
The windshield wiper/washer control lever operates the
windshield wipers and washers when the ignition switch
is in the ON position. The lever is located on the right
side of the steering column. Move the lever upward to
the second detent for LO speed wiper operation, or to the
third detent for HI speed operation
Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE