2005 DODGE DURANGO instrument panel

NOTE:Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint.
•ThePassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
(an amber light located in the center of the instrument
panel) tells the driver and front passenger when the
front passenger airbag is turned off. The PAD Indica-
tor lamp illuminates the wordsPASS AIR BAG OFF
to show that the passenger airbag will not inflate
during a collision requiring airbags. When the right
front passenger seat is empty or when very light
objects are placed on the seat, the passenger air bag
will not inflate even though the Passenger Airbag
Disable (PAD) indicator lamp is not illuminated.
The PAD indictor light should not be illuminated
when teenagers, most children in a forward facing
child restraint or booster seats, most children that can
properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt, and when an
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

will cause the system to turn the airbag on. In this case,
the OCS has classified the occupant of the seat as an
adult. An adult occupant needs to sit in a normal position
(with their feet on or near the floor) in order to be
properly classified. Reclining the seat back too far may
change how an occupant is classified by the OCS.
Drivers and adult passengers should verify that the PAD
Indicator Light is not illuminated when an adult is riding
in the front passenger seat. If an adult occupant’s weight
is transferred to another part of the vehicle (like the door
or instrument panel), the weight sensors in the seat may
not properly classify the occupant. Objects lodged under
the seat or between the seat and the center console can
prevent the occupant’s weight from being measured
properly and may result in the occupant being improp-
erly classified. Ensure that the front passenger seat back
does not touch anything placed on the second row of
seats because this can also affect occupant classification.Also, if you fold down the seats in the second row check
to be sure they don’t touch the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the Airbag Warning
Light (a red light located in the center of the instrument
cluster directly in front of the driver) will be turned on.
This indicates that you should take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer. The Airbag Warning Light is turned on
whenever there is fault that can affect the operation of the
airbag system. If there is a fault present in the OCS, both
the PAD Indicator Light and the Airbag Warning Light
are illuminated to show that the passenger airbag is
turned off until the fault is cleared. If an object is lodged
under the seat and interferes with operation of the weight
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

sensors, a fault will occur which turns on both the PAD
Indicator Light and the Airbag Warning Light. Once the
lodged object is removed, the fault will be automatically
cleared after a short period of time.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on collision severity and occu-
pant size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size.
The bags fully inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver’s front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides ofthe 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.•TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC). The ORC uses the occupant category to
determine whether the front passenger airbag should
be turned off. It also determines the rate of airbag
inflation during a collision.
•Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause it to fail when you
need it. You could be injured if the airbag system is 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
structure, or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system. The
airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if modifications
are made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced airbag
system service. If your seat including your trim cover and cushion needs to
be serviced in any way (including removal or loosening/tightening of seat
attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only manufac-
turer approved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to modify an
advanced airbag system for persons with disabilities, contact your autho-
rized dealer.
•Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the right
front passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause the Occupant
Classification System to be unable to correctly classify the right front
occupant. This could allow the passenger frontal airbag to inflate when it is
not desired.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a collision. Do not mount or
locate any aftermarket equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
•It 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 an airbag system.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You can feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle:
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights as
you turn them on. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in the
right side mirror.
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors — If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is on each sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lights will turn on automati-
cally. Closing the mirror cover turns off the light.Heated Mirrors — If Equipped
Heated mirrors are automatically activated when you
depress the rear window defroster switch located on the
instrument panel. The light will illuminate to indicate
that the heating elements are ON. Turning OFF the
ignition will deactivate the heated mirrors.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77
3

4 - Way Passenger’s Power Seat — If Equipped
The front passenger’s power seat switches are located on
the right side of the passenger seat lower side trim. The
bottom switch controls forward/rearward adjustment.
The top switch controls the seatback recline adjustment.
NOTE:The 4 - way seat does not have an up/down
adjustment.
Front Heated Seats — If Equipped
This feature heats the driver and front passenger seats.
The controls for the front heated seats are located on the
center of the instrument panel, below the climate con-
trols. The heated seat system allows the driver and front
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
3

the seat is positioned rearward enough and no benefit
from moving the seat any farther rearward.
NOTE:The Easy Exit Easy Entry feature is not enabled
when delivered from the factory. The Easy Exit Easy
Entry feature may be enabled (or later disabled) by a
qualified DaimlerChrysler service representative.
Tilt Mirrors in Reverse
This additional feature provides automatic outside mir-
ror positioning which will aid the driver’s view of the
ground rearward of the front doors. The outside mirrors
will move slightly downward from the present position
when the vehicle is shifted into Reverse position. The
outside mirrors will then return to the original position
when the vehicle is shifted out of Reverse position. Each
stored memory setting will have an associated Tilt Mir-
rors in Reverse position.
NOTE:The Tilt Mirrors in Reverse feature is not en-
abled when delivered from the factory. The Tilt Mirrors inReverse feature may be enabled (or later disabled) by a
qualified DaimlerChrysler service representative.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE