2004 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

²Also, the ACM turns on the ªAirbag Warning Lightº 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. If the
ACM detects a malfunction, the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº will illuminate for a minimum of 12 seconds
and will remain illuminated as long as the malfunction
exists.
WARNING!
Ignoring the ªAirbag Warning Lightº in your instru-
ment 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.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and in the
instrument panel. When the ACM detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the bags inflate to full size. The bags fully
inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes 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 the airbag material towards the instrument
panel. 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.
²TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees and
position the driver and front passenger's for the best
interaction with the front airbag.
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Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch Ð If Equipped
NOTE:
The Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is de-
signed so that the switch position can be changed using
the ignition key. The key inserts into the switch far
enough to fully depress a spring-loaded locking plunger,
and then rotates to the desired position. The key will not
insert fully into the switch, and the spring-loaded locking
plunger prevents the key from remaining in the switch.
The Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is located on the
instrument panel. The switch is to be turned off only if
the passenger is an infant (less than 1 year old) or a child
(age 1 to 12) who must ride in the front seat because there
is no rear seat.
WARNING!
Whenever an airbag is turned off, even a lap/
shoulder belted passenger may hit their head, neck,
or chest on the dashboard (instrument panel) or
windshield in a crash. This may result in serious
injury or death.
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag
1. Turn ignition to OFF position.
2. Remove the water-resistant plug.
3. Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag ON/
OFF Switch, press inward and turn the key to the right to
the OFF position. This will shut off the passenger airbag.
4. Reinstall the water-resistant plug.
NOTE:When the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is
in the OFF position, a indicator light will illuminate when
the ignition is ON. If the indicator light does not illumi-
nate for 3 seconds after the ignition is turned ON, or
when the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is turned
OFF (while ignition is in the ON position), have an
authorized dealer service the system immediately.
To Turn On the Passenger Airbag
1. Turn ignition to OFF position.
2. Remove the water-resistant plug.3. Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag ON/
OFF Switch, press inward and turn the key to the left to
the ON position. This will turn on the passenger airbag.
4. Reinstall the water-resistant plug.
NOTE:Do not turn the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF
Switch on or off with the ignition in the ON/RUN or
START positions, as the ACM could cause the ªAirbag
Warning Lampº to illuminate.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the impact
sensors detect a moderate-to-severe frontal collision, to
help restrain the driver and right front passenger, and
then to immediately deflate.
NOTE:A frontal 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.
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If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
²The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold.
The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or
those you might get sliding along a carpet or gymna-
sium floor. They are not caused by contact with
chemicals. They are not permanent and normally heal
quickly. However, if you haven't healed significantly
within a few days, or if you have any blistering, see
your doctor immediately.
²As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor.If these particles settle on your clothing, follow the
garment manufacturer's instructions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the airbags replaced by an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in an collision. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately.
²The ªAirbag Warning Lightº does not come on or
flickers during the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned on.
²The ªAirbag Warning Lightº remains on or flickers
after the 6 to 8 second interval.
²The ªAirbag Warning Lightº flickers or comes on and
remains on while driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time-babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
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Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap can
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
Infants and Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner's manual to ensure that you have the right
seat for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for
your child.
²The rearward-facing infant carrier is for babies weigh-
ing up to about 20 lbs (9 kg), and one year old or more.
The infant restraint mustNEVERbe used in the front
seat of a vehicle with a front passenger airbag unless
the airbag is turned off. An airbag deployment could
cause severe injury or death to infants in this position.
The infant carrier is held in the vehicle by the lap belt,
lap/shoulder belt, or the LATCH child restraint an-
chorage system.
²Children under one year of age should continue to ride
in a rear-facing infant seat, even if they weigh more
than 20 lbs (9 kg). A ªconvertibleº child seat, one that
is designed to be used either rearward-facing or
forward-facing, should be used for children who are
too heavy for the infant carrier, but who are too young
to face forward in the vehicle.
²The forward-facing child seat is for children from
about 20±40 lbs (9±18 kg), and more than one year old.
The child seat is held in the vehicle by the lap belt,
lap/shoulder belt, or the LATCH child restraint an-
chorage system.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weigh-
ing more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small
to fit in the vehicle's seat belts properly. If the child
cannot sit with knees bent over the seat cushion while
the child's back is against the seat back, they should
use a belt-positioning booster seat. The child and
booster seat are held in the vehicle by lap/shoulder
belt. (Some booster seats are equipped with a front
shield and are held in the vehicle by the lap portion or
lap belt.)
²For additional information, refer to
www.seatcheck.org.
WARNING!
²Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
²A rearward facing infant restraint should only be
used in a rear seat unless the passenger frontal
airbag is turned off. If the airbag is left on, a
rearward facing infant restraint in the front seat
may be struck by a deploying passenger airbag
which may cause severe or fatal injury to the
infant.
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Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. The manufacturer also recommends that
you make sure that you can install the child restraint in
the vehicle where you will use it before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
²The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching
latch plates designed to keep the lap portion or lap belt
tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. Pull up on the shoulder
portion of the lap/shoulder belt, or on the free end of
the lap belt to tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate
will keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt system
will loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally
and pull it tight if necessary.
²In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap belt or lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint
because the buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt
path opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch
plate from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still cannot be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it with
the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave
it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or collision, it
could strike the occupants or seat backs and cause
serious personal injury.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE