
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 Key® Immobilizer System prevents unau-
thorized 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
flash after the bulb check, it indicates that someone used
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15

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 3
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.
Rearming The System
If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the Vehicle Security Alarm will turn off the
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 outof 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).
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19

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.
NOTE:
•The driver’s door key cylinder and the trunk button on
the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the Vehicle
Security Alarm.
• The Vehicle Security Alarm remains armed during
trunk entry. Pressing the trunk button will not disarm
the Vehicle Security Alarm. If someone enters the
vehicle through the trunk and opens any door, the
alarm will sound.
The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your
vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the
Vehicle Security Alarm will give you a false alarm. If one of the previously described arming sequences has oc-
curred, the Vehicle Security Alarm 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 Vehicle Security Alarm.
If the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed and the battery
becomes disconnected the Vehicle Security Alarm will
remain armed when the battery is reconnected. The
exterior lights will flash, and the horn will sound. If this
occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.
Tamper Alert
If the alarm was triggered, but the warning signals have
timed out, the park and taillights flash three times, and
the horn will chirp three times, when unlocking the
vehicle with a valid RKE transmitter to alert the driver.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
To Unlock The Doors
Press and release the UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter once to unlock the driver’s door or twice to
unlock both doors. The turn signal lights will flash to
acknowledge the unlock signal. The Illuminated Entry
system (if equipped) will also turn on.
RKE Transmitter With Integrated Key
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Flash Lights With Lock
The feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the RKE transmit-
ter. This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change
the current setting, proceed as follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed RKE transmitter for at least four seconds, but not
longer than 10 seconds. Then, press and hold the
LOCK button while still holding the UNLOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time. 3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-
ing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the RKE trans-
mitter with the ignition in the LOCK position and the
key removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to its previous setting.
NOTE: If there is no key in the ignition switch, pressing
the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter while you are in
the vehicle will activate the Vehicle Security Alarm.
Opening a door with the Vehicle Security Alarm acti-
vated will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK
button to deactivate the Vehicle Security Alarm System.
Illuminated Approach — If Equipped
This feature activates the headlights for up to 90 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the RKE transmitter.
The time for this feature is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

(EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Fea-
tures)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
To Lock The Doors
Press and release the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter to lock both doors. The turn signal lights will flash
and the horn will chirp once to acknowledge the lock
signal.
Sound Horn With Lock
This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the RKE transmitter. This feature can be
turned on or off. To change the current setting, proceed as
follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following steps:
1. Press the LOCK button on a programmed RKE trans- mitter for at least four seconds, but not longer than 10
seconds. Then, press the PANIC button while still
holding the LOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press- ing the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter with the
ignition in the LOCK position and the key removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to its previous setting.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25

turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the air bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates
are possible, based on several factors, including the
collision type and severity. The steering wheel hub trim
cover and the upper right side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to
their full size. The air bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70
milliseconds. This is about half of the time it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE