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.
For safety reasons, the convertible top should only be opened and closed when the vehicle is standing still. Top operation is allowed up to a maximum of 9 mph (15 km/h). Above this speed, top operation will cease and an audible warning will sound. The top operation can be resumed after the vehicle is below the maximum speed by pressing the convertible top switch again.
WARNING! Before operating the switch for the convertible top, make sure that no persons can be injured by the moving parts (convertible top frame and tonneau cover). Hands must never be placed near the sport bar, convertible top frame, upper windshield area, shelf behind sport bar, or convertible top storage compart- ment while the convertible top is being raised or lowered. Serious personal injury may occur. If potential danger exists, release the convertible top switch. This immediately interrupts the raising or lowering procedure. You then can operate the con- vertible top switch to raise or lower the convertible top away from the danger zone.
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CAUTION! When opening and closing the convertible top, make sure that:
• There is sufficient clearance of at least 6 ft. (1.8m)
for the convertible top to move up.
• Nothing is placed on the tonneau cover.
• The outside temperature is above 32°F (0°C). Otherwise the convertible top and other parts of the vehicle could be damaged.
CAUTION! Use caution when putting items into the storage compartment with the top in the closed position. The tonneau cover extensions are exposed and can be damaged if luggage or other items are pushed too far into the storage compartment.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
3
To Lower The Top:
WARNING! Top operation can be suspended for a maximum of 10 minutes. Thirty seconds before the end of this period an audible warning will begin to sound continuously. At the end of this period, hydraulic pressure will be released and the top and tonneau cover will slowly collapse. In order to re-initialize the top cycle, the tonneau cover must first be moved and held in its full open position manually. The convertible top should then be carefully lowered into its storage compartment, and the tonneau closed. Hands should be kept away from moving parts of the top and top compartment mechanisms to avoid injury during this operation and as hydraulic pressure is reestablished. The hydraulic pressure can be reestablished by turning the ignition to the ON/RUN position and pushing down on the con- vertible top switch twice. Refer to Convertible Top Emergency Operation in the What To Do In Emergen- cies section of this manual.
CAUTION! To avoid possible damage to the tonneau cover and convertible top, do not allow the convertible top to remain in the suspended position. After approxi- mately 10 minutes in the suspended position, the hydraulic pressure will be released which will allow the top and the tonneau cover to lower. The convert- ible top switch can be pressed to cancel this operation.
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CAUTION! To avoid damage to either the top or the rear window, check the tonneau cover area at the rear of the vehicle interior to be sure that it is clear of debris or other items. Do not use the tonneau cover area for other storage purposes.
CAUTION! To fully ensure that no damage occurs, be sure that the vehicle is at a complete stop before attempting to lower or raise the top.
NOTE: If the top stops during the raising or lowering procedure, start the engine and continue operation. 1. Make sure the rear cargo compartment divider is unfolded and secured in the vertical position. If the divider is in its stowed position, first unfold the panels towards the rear of the vehicle. Pull up on the vertical panel using the center cutout shown, and hook the pins at the top into the brackets mounted to the cargo compartment trim on each side near the forward edge of the decklid opening. The pins must be hooked in these brackets in order for the top to operate.
NOTE: See label attached to underside of decklid.
2. Make sure the decklid is closed.
CAUTION! Be sure to turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position before releasing the top from the windshield header. The windows will not go down if the top is released from the header without the ignition turned ON. The side windows can be damaged if the doors are opened or closed with the windows up and the top released from the windshield header.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position. 4. Unlock the top from the windshield header by pulling the latch handle down and turning it clockwise just over one quarter turn.
NOTE: Once the release handle is rotated, the windows will automatically go down.
5. Push up on the convertible top latch handle to create a gap between the header and top of approximately 8 in (200 mm). As soon as the top is free, rotate the latch handle counterclockwise just over one quarter turn and push it up into the stored position.
NOTE: Failure to perform any of these steps will prevent the top from operating with the convertible top switch and will cause an audible information signal to sound.
6. Push down on the rear of the convertible top switch to begin top operation. The rear of the top will unlatch and the tonneau cover will open before the top begins to fold.
Hold the switch down until the convertible top is com- pletely lowered into its storage compartment and the tonneau cover is closed and latched. A single audible signal will sound to indicate completion of the top opening operation.
NOTE: Once the top is lowered and the audible signal is heard, you can continue to push the convertible top switch down or push it within two seconds to raise the windows.
The windows can also be closed/opened later using the power window switches.
CAUTION! To prevent mildew, the convertible top must be dry before lowering it into the storage compartment. Do not lower a frozen convertible top until thawed and dry. Doing so may result in damage not covered by the DaimlerChrysler Limited Warranty.
CAUTION! Do not place anything on the tonneau cover. The tonneau cover must never be used as a seating area.
To Raise The Top:
1. Make sure the rear cargo compartment divider is still secured in the vertical position. 2. Make sure the decklid is closed. 3. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position and press down on the front of the convertible top switch.
4. If the windows are raised, they will lower as soon as the convertible switch is pressed down. The tonneau cover will open, and the top will then close until it reaches approximately 8 in (200 mm) from the header. The tonneau cover will then close and the rear of the top will close and latch. At the completion of this cycle, a single audible signal will sound.
NOTE: If the top is latched to the windshield header before the rear of the top is properly latched, an audible warning will sound and the top raising operation will stop. 5. Pull the latch handle down from the storage position and turn it clockwise just over one quarter turn. 6. Pull the latch handle and convertible top down to engage the top with the header.
7. When the top engages to the header, turn the latch handle counterclockwise just over one quarter turn to the lock position and push the latch handle up to the stored position. The top is now secured in the closed position.
NOTE: The convertible top switch indicator will light up and an audible warning will be heard if you start driving the vehicle without the top fully locked in the closed position.
WARNING! To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle only with the convertible top either completely closed and locked, or fully lowered into its storage compartment.
8. Once the top has been raised and locked, the cargo compartment divider can be unhooked and folded for- ward to increase the cargo compartment capacity. Follow the steps shown on the label affixed to the decklid trim.
CAUTION! Once the cargo compartment divider is folded for- ward to increase the cargo compartment capacity, the tonneau cover flaps are exposed and can be damaged by long items being put into the cargo compartment.
Convertible Top Lamp and Audible Signal Chart
Below is a table containing all of the visual and audible signals that can be seen or heard during top operation or if a fault is present.
Visual and Au- dible
Signals Operation Mode or Fault
Single audible sig- nal is heard
Roof reaches fully open position
Roof reaches fully closed position Convertible top switch lamp flashes slowly and a slow audible beep is heard
Decklid open
Cargo compartment divider not se- cured in vertical position Top latched at windshield header before top cycle complete
Top unlatched but not pushed up from windshield header Vehicle speed greater than 9 mph (15 km/h) while trying to initiate top operation Battery voltage less than 10.6 Volts
Convertible top switch lamp flashes quickly and a quick au- dible beep is heard
Maximum hydraulic pump run-time reached
Power window motor(s) or rear spoiler inoperative Vehicle speed greater than 9 mph (15 km/h) during top operation Top operation suspended longer than 10 minutes
Convertible top switch lamp flashes rapidly
General top control module fault
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