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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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Sentry KeyProgramming
You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid Sentry Keysby performing the following proce-
dure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry KeyTransponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON position for at least three
seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the first
key.
3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within
15 seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash.Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Keyinto the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within
60 seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound.
In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing.
To indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle
Security Light will turn on again for three seconds and
then turn off.
The new Sentry Keyis programmed.The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure.
Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key, contact your
authorized dealer for details.
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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.
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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.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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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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REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
This system uses the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter to start the engine conveniently from outside the
vehicle while still maintaining security. The system has a
targeted range up to 328 ft (100 m).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:
•Shift lever in PARK
•Doors closed
•Hood closed
•Trunk closed
•Hazard switch off
•Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed)
•Ignition key removed from ignition switch
•Battery at an acceptable charge level, and
•RKE PANIC button not pressed
Remote Start Button
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Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with one
window down in certain open or partially open posi-
tions. This is a normal occurrence and can be minimized.
If the buffeting occurs with one window open, then open
both windows together to minimize the buffeting.
TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
To unlatch the trunk lid from inside the vehicle, press and
release the TRUNK RELEASE Button located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:The convertible top must be either closed and
latched or open and latched.The trunk release button on the
dash will be disabled if the vehicle
is locked by pressing the power
door lock switch or by pressing
the LOCK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The trunk release button will be
enabled when the vehicle is un-
locked by the RKE or if the key is
inserted into the ignition and
turned to ON or START.
NOTE:This provides a locked area in the vehicle even
if the convertible top is open.
To unlatch the trunk lid from outside the vehicle, press
and release the TRUNK RELEASE button on the RKE
transmitter two times.
Trunk Release
Button
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CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants of a vehicle in a collision. Therefore,
it is important that all occupants wear their seat belts
at all times when riding in a convertible. Studies
have shown that it is generally safer to remain inside
a vehicle during a collision than to be ejected from
the vehicle.
You can lower or raise the power convertible top from
inside the vehicle or lower the top remotely using the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. Either operation
takes approximately 30 seconds. The entire process, in-
cluding unlatching or latching the top at the windshield
header is automatic.The top does take up some space in the trunk when
retracted. However, the trunk will still hold a significant
amount of cargo.
When operating the power convertible top, the trunk lid
will pivot at the rear of the vehicle, swing open by the
rear window, and then pivot backward. This allows room
for the top to retract into or unfold from its stowage area
in the trunk.
When lowering the top, the system extends the hard
tonneau cover, which stows conveniently underneath the
trunk lid. The tonneau cover closes the area between the
rear seats and the trunk lid to conceal the top when
stowed.
When raising the top, the system retracts the hard
tonneau cover back into its stowage area underneath the
trunk lid.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
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