2004 DODGE STRATUS airbag

NPanic Alarm..........................21
NTo Use The Panic Alarm.................21
NTo Program Additional Transmitters.........21
NGeneral Information....................21
NTransmitter Battery Service...............22
mVehicle Theft Alarm.....................22
NTamper Alert.........................23
NSecurity System Manual Override...........23
mTrunk Lock And Release..................23
mTrunk Safety Warning....................24
NTrunk Internal Emergency Release..........24
mPower Windows........................25
NWind Buffeting........................25
mOccupant Restraints.....................25NLap/Shoulder Belts.....................26
NPretensioners.........................30
NEnhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)...........................31
NSeat Belts And Pregnant Women............32
NSeat Belt Extender......................32
NDriver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag............33
mEngine Break-In Recommendations..........48
mSafety Tips............................49
NExhaust Gas..........................49
NSafety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle..............................49
NPeriodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle....................50
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

POWER WINDOWS
The window controls on the driver's door operate all
windows.
The driver's window switch has an Auto Down feature.
Press the window switch past the detent, release, and the
window will go down automatically.
To open the window part way, pull the window switch
part way and release it when you want the window to
stop.
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 the
windows down, or in certain open or partially open
positions. This is a normal occurrence and can be mini-
mized. If the buffeting occurs with the rear windows
open, open the front and rear windows together to
minimize the buffeting.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. These include the front
and rear seat belts for the driver and all passengers, front
airbags for both the driver and front passenger and, if so
equipped, left and right window bags for the driver and
passengers seated next to a window. If you will be
carrying children too small for adult-size belts, your seat
belts also can be used to hold infant and child restraint
systems.
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Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the driver and front passenger seats, the shoulder belt
can be adjusted upward or downward to position the belt
away from your neck. Push the lever above the webbing
upward to release the anchorage, and then move it up or
down to the position that serves you best.
As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will
prefer a lower position, and if you are taller than average,
you'll prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage, try to move it up or down to make sure that
it is locked in position.In the rear seat, move toward the center of the seat to
position the belt away from your neck.
Pretensioners
The seat belts for both front seating positions are
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to
remove any slack from the seat belts in the event of a
collision. These devices improve the performance of the
seat belt system by assuring that the belt is tight about the
occupant early in a collision. Pretensioners work for all
size occupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper
seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still
must be worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the front airbag con-
trol module (see Airbag Section). Like the front airbags,
the pretensioners are single use items. After a collision
that is severe enough to deploy the airbags and preten-
sioners, both must be replaced.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's airbag is mounted in the center of
the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag is
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.This vehicle may also be equipped with left and right
window bags to protect the driver and passengers sitting
next to a window. If the vehicle is equipped with window
bags, they are located above the side windows. Their
covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim; but they will open to allow airbag deploy-
ment.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
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WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to manually open them. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured be-
cause the airbags are not there to protect you. These
protective covers for the airbag cushions are de-
signed to open only when the airbags are inflating.
²If your vehicle is equipped with left and right
window bags, do not stack luggage or other cargo
up high enough to block the location of the
window bag. The area where the window bag is
located should remain free from any obstructions.
²If your vehicle is equipped with left and right
window bags, do not have any accessory items
installed which will alter the roof, including add-
ing a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof
racks that require permanent attachments (bolts
or screws) for installation on the vehicle roof. Do
not drill into the roof of the vehicle for any reason.
²Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in
any way.
²Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster
such as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios
etc.
Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instru-
ment panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection
for the driver and front passenger. Left and right window
airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant
protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy only in moderate
to severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is so equipped,
the window bag on the crash side of the vehicle is
triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain
types of collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the
seat belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags
to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. Children 12 years old and under should ride buckled
up in the rear seat. Infants in rear-facing child restraints
shouldNEVERride in the front seat of a vehicle with a
passenger front airbag. An airbag deployment could
cause severe injury or death to infants in that position.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see section on ªChild Restraintº) should
be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats.
Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled
up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See the section on ªChild Restraintº.
2. You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
3. All occupants should use their seat belts properly.
4. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbags time to inflate.
5. If your vehicle has left and right window bags, do not
lean against the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into
the space between you and the door.WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has left and right window bags, they
also need room to inflate. Do not lean against the
door or window. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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²AIRBAGReadiness Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
The window airbag system, on vehicles so equipped,
consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module
²AIRBAGReadiness Light
²Left and Right Window Bags Above Side Windows
²Left and Right Side Impact Sensors
²Interconnection Wiring
How The Airbag System Work
²
The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate. The control module receives the level of colli-
sion severity, determines the proper level of airbag to
be deployed. The frontal airbag inflators are designed
to provide three different rates of air bag inflation.
²The airbag control module will not detect rollover or
rear collisions.
²The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolster, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the ªoffº position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAGlight in the instrument panel for 6 to
8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on,
then turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in
any part of the system, it turns on the light either
momentarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
²When the airbag control module detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. Three levels of airbag inflation rates are
possible. These rates are determined by the airbag
control module based on collision severity. The airbag
covers separate and fold out of the way as the airbags
inflate to their full size. The airbags fully inflate inabout 60 milliseconds. This is only about half of the
time it takes you to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger. The driver's front airbag gas is vented
through a vent hole in the rear of the airbag. The
passenger's front airbag gas is vented through vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. In this way the airbags
do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
²The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees and
position you for the best interaction with the front
airbag.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the airbag
control module detects a moderate-to-severe collision, to
help restrain the driver and front passenger, and then to
immediately deflate.
NOTE:A collision that is not severe enough to need
airbag protection will not activate the system. This does
not mean something is wrong with the airbag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
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