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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys................. 12
▫Ignition Key Removal.................. 13
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder............... 14
Sentry Key.......................... 15
▫Replacement Keys..................... 16
▫Sentry KeyProgramming............... 17
▫General Information................... 18
Vehicle Security Alarm System — If Equipped . . 18
▫Rearming The System.................. 18▫To Arm The System................... 19
▫To Disarm The System................. 19
Illuminated Entry System — If Equipped...... 20
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE).............. 21
▫To Unlock The Doors.................. 22
▫To Lock The Doors.................... 24
▫Convertible Top Operation Button —
If Equipped......................... 25
▫To Unlatch The Trunk.................. 25
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▫Express Down Window Feature —
If Equipped......................... 25
▫Using The Panic Alarm................. 25
▫Programming Additional Transmitters...... 26
▫Battery Replacement................... 26
▫General Information................... 27
Remote Starting System — If Equipped....... 28
▫How To Use Remote Start............... 28
Door Locks........................... 30
▫Manual Door Locks................... 30
▫Power Door Locks.................... 31
Windows............................ 33
▫Power Windows...................... 33▫Wind Buffeting....................... 36
Trunk Lock And Release................. 36
Trunk Safety Warning................... 37
▫Trunk Internal Emergency Release......... 38
Occupant Restraints..................... 38
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.................... 40
▫Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure.... 44
▫Seat Belt Pretensioners................. 45
▫Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert) ......................... 46
▫Automatic Locking Mode............... 47
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women.......... 48
▫Seat Belt Extender..................... 48
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Ignition Key Removal
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position, push the key slightly inward, rotate the
key to the LOCK position, and remove the key.NOTE:•If you try to remove the key before you place the shift
lever into PARK, the key may become trapped tempo-
rarily in the ignition switch lock cylinder. If this
occurs, rotate the key to the right slightly, then remove
the key as described. If a malfunction occurs, the
system will trap the key in the ignition switch lock
cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inop-
erable. The engine can be started and stopped, but the
key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
•For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for 45 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position.
Opening either door will cancel this feature.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK 3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — STARTTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC), the power window switches,
radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and power
outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position. Open-
ing either door will cancel this feature. The time for this
feature is programmable. For details, refer to “Key-Off
Power Delay,” under “Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features)” under “Electronic Vehicle In-
formation Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. 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
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition,
sounds a chime signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds
when the ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC
position.
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SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
NOTE:A key, which has not been programmed, is also
considered an invalid key even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.During normal operation, after turning the ignition
switch ON, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for
three seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains after
the bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with
the electronics. In addition, if the light begins to flash
after the bulb check, it indicates that someone used an
invalid key to start the engine. Either of these conditions
will result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Always remove the Sentry Keyfrom the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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To Arm The System:
1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.
2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch
(one door must be open) or the LOCK button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter (doors can be
open or closed), and close all doors.
NOTE:The system will not arm if you lock the doors
with the manual door lock plungers.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash rapidly for 16 seconds. This shows that the
system is arming. During this period, if a door is opened,
the ignition switch is turned ON, or the power door locks
are unlocked in any manner, the system will automati-
cally disarm. After 16 seconds, the indicator light will
flash slowly. This shows that the system is fully armed.NOTE:•During the 16 second arming period, if a door is
opened or the ignition switch is turned ON, the system
will automatically disarm.
•Once armed, the Vehicle Security Alarm system dis-
ables the unlock switch on the driver door trim panel
and passenger door trim panel, the trunk release
button on the instrument panel, and the HomeLink/
Garage Door Opener (if equipped).
To Disarm The System
Either press the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter
or insert a valid Sentry Keyinto the ignition lock
cylinder and turn the key to the ON/START position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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NOTE:
•The driver’s door key cylinder and the trunk button on
the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the system.
•The system remains armed during trunk entry. Press-
ing the trunk button will not disarm the system. If
someone enters the vehicle through the trunk and
opens any door, the alarm will sound.
The Vehicle Security Alarm 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 Vehicle Security Alarm system is armed and the
battery becomes disconnected the system will remainarmed when the battery is reconnected. The exterior
lights will flash, and the horn will sound. If this occurs,
disarm the system.Tamper Alert
If the alarm was triggered, but the warning signals have
timed out, the park and taillights flash three times
(instead of the normal twice), and the horn will chirp
three times, when unlocking the vehicle with a valid RKE
transmitter to alert the driver.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM — 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 “Illuminated Approach,”
under “Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Fea-
tures)” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
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The interior lights will fade to off after about 30 seconds
or they will immediately fade to off once the ignition
switch is turned ON.
NOTE:
•The illuminated entry system will not operate the
interior lights if the dimmer control is in the “defeat”
position (extreme downward position).
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors, open
the trunk, open the convertible top (if equipped), lower
both door and rear quarter windows (if equipped), or
activate the Panic Alarm from distances up to 66 ft (20 m)
using a hand-held Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmit-
ter. The RKE transmitter need not be pointed at the
vehicle to activate the system.NOTE:
•The line of transmission must not be blocked with
metal objects when using the RKE transmitter.
•Inserting the key into the ignition switch disables all
buttons on the RKE transmitter.
RKE Transmitter with Integrated Key
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