2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN window

WARNING!• Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers
or attempt to manually open them. You may dam-
age the airbags and you could be injured because
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.
• If your vehicle is equipped with 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.
• If your vehicle is equipped with window bags, do
not have any accessory items installed which will
alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to your
vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require perma-
nent attachments (bolts or screws) for installation
on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the
vehicle for any reason. Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved
protection for the driver and front passenger. Window
bags 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 in moderate to
severe frontal collisions.
NOTE: The passenger front airbag may not deploy even
when the driver front airbag has if the Occupant Classi-
fication System (refer to “ Occupant Classification Sys-
tem ” in this section) has determined the seat is empty or
is occupied by a child.
If your vehicle is equipped, the window bag on the crash
side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side
collisions. But even in collisions where the airbags inflate,
you need the seat belts to keep you in the right position
for the airbags to protect you properly. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

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 always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.
Infants in rear facing child restraints should NEVER ride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (refer to section on Child Restraint)
should be secured in the rear seat, in a child restraint or
belt-positioning booster seat. Older children who do not
use child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats
should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat, and in
the outboard seat if possible. 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 Child Restraint.
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
3. The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front airbags
room to inflate.
4. If your vehicle has window bags, do not lean against
the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!• Relying 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.
• Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during front 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.
• If the vehicle has window bags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat. The Airbag System consists of the following:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• AIRBAG Readiness Light
• Driver Airbag
• Front Passenger Airbag
• Window Bags above Side Windows (If Equipped)
• Front Impact Sensors
• Side Impact Sensors (If Equipped)
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Seat Belt Readiness Light
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Interconnecting Wiring THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

• The Side Impact SRS Window Bags are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
and the side impact sensors (with side impact option)
detects a collision requiring the window bags to
inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the
vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the
way and covers the window. The airbag inflates in
about 30 milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it
takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the window bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The win-
dow bag is only about 3 1
2
inches (9 cm) thick when it
is inflated. • When the ORC and the side impact sensors (with side
impact option) detects a collision requiring the Driver
Inflatable Knee Blocker , it signals the inflator unit. A
quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the
Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker. The Driver Inflatable
Knee Blocker inflates rearward towards the driver ’ s
knees to help protect the knees and position you for
the best interaction with the front airbag. The Driver
Inflatable Knee Blocker fully inflates in about 50
milliseconds, this is only about half of the time it takes
you to blink your eyes. It then quickly deflates while
helping to protect the driver ’ s knees.
• The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees, and
position everyone for the best interaction with the
front airbag.60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!If you are required to drive with the deck lid/liftgate
open, make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
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.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6
to 8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the LED is not lit
during starting, have it checked. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical adjustment of the mirror. Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped
If the switch is in the “ Auto ” position the mirror will
automatically adjust for annoying headlight glare from
vehicles behind you. You can turn the feature on or off by
pressing the button at the base of the mirror. A light in the
button will illuminate to indicate when this feature is on.
Adjusting Rear View Mirror92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Select a mirror and press one of the four arrows for the
direction you want the mirror to move. Heated Remote Control Mirrors — If Equipped
These mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice. This feature
is activated whenever you turn on the Rear Window
Defrost.
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors — If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is on the sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lights turn on automatically.
Closing the mirror cover turns off the lights.
Sun Visor Extension — If Equipped
This feature has a pull out extension on the sun visor for
increased coverage.Power Mirror Switches UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
3

REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
This system is used to help drivers determine if an
obstacle is in the way of the vehicle while it is backing up
in addition to the use of inside rearview and outside
mirrors.
When the driver selects Reverse the system scans for
objects behind the vehicle using four sensors located in
the rear bumper. Objects can be detected from up to 71
inches (180 cm). A warning display above the rear
window provides both visible and audible warnings
indicating the range of the object. Rear Park Assist Indicator144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE