THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys ................. 12
▫ Ignition Key Removal .................. 13
▫ Key-In-Ignition Reminder ............... 15
Sentry Key .......................... 15
▫ Replacement Keys ..................... 16
▫ Customer Key Programming ............. 17
▫ General Information ................... 18
Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped ........ 18
▫ Rearming The System .................. 19 ▫
To Arm The System ................... 19
▫ To Disarm The System ................. 19
Illuminated Entry — 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
2
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, place the shift lever in PARK, 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 inoperable. 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/RUN
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — START
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
•For vehicles 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 up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either front door will cancel this feature.
The time for this feature is programmable. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Fea-
tures)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re-
move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving
the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN
position. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR 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.
•With either front door open, and the key in the
ignition, both the power door locks and Remote Key-
less Entry (RKE) transmitter will not function.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System prevents unauthor-
ized 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 to ON/RUN, 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
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
authorized dealer or by using the Customer Key Pro-
gramming procedure. This procedure consists of pro-
gramming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank
key is one which has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry KeyImmobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.
Customer Key Programming
You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid Sentry Keys by performing the following proce-
dure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key Transponder 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/RUN 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/RUN position within
15 seconds. After ten 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 Key
into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN 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 indicator
light will turn on again for three seconds and then turn
off.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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.
NOTE: If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tems memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting
your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to your autho-
rized dealer at the time of service to be reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the doors and trunk
for unauthorized entry and ignition switch for unauthor-
ized operation. While the Vehicle Security Alarm is
armed, interior switches for door locks and decklid
release are disabled.
If something triggers the alarm, the Vehicle Security
Alarm will signal for about 18 minutes. For the first three
minutes, the horn will sound intermittently, the head-
lights will turn on, the park lamps and/or turn signals
will flash and the Vehicle Security Light in the cluster will
flash. Then the exterior lights will flash for another
15 minutes.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Rearming The System
If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the Vehicle Security Alarm will turn off the
horn after three minutes, turn off all of the visual signals
after 15 minutes, and then the Vehicle Security Alarm will
rearm itself.
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 Vehicle Security Alarm 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 for 16 seconds. This shows that the Vehicle Security Alarm is arming. During this period, if a door is
opened, the ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN, or the
power door locks are unlocked in any manner, the
Vehicle Security Alarm will automatically disarm.
NOTE:
•During the 16-second arming period, if a door is
opened or the ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN,
the Vehicle Security Alarm will automatically disarm.
•Once armed, the Vehicle Security Alarm disables 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 Key
into the ignition lock
cylinder and turn the key to the ON/START position.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
The interior lights will fade to off after approximately
30 seconds or they will immediately fade to off once the
ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN from the OFF
position..
NOTE:
•The front courtesy overhead console and door cour-
tesy lights will turn on if the dimmer control is in the
Dome ONposition (extreme top position).
•The Illuminated Entry system will not operate if the
dimmer control is in the “Dome defeat” position
(extreme bottom position).
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors, open
the trunk, open the convertible top (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 does not need to 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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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21