
•Left and Right Side Curtain Airbags Above Side
Windows
•Left and Right Side Impact Sensors
•Interconnection Wiring
How The Airbag System Works
•
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 airbag inflation.
•The airbag control module will not detect a rollover.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON 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“LOCK”position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
•The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAGlight, and thePassenger Airbag
Disable (PAD) Indicator Lightin the instru-
ment 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.
•When 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
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have been deployed. If you are involved in
another collision, the airbags will not be in place to
protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags can’t protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Enhanced Accident Response Feature
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 illuminate to aid visibility.
NOTE:The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
Side Airbag System
The airbag control module determines if a side collision is
severe enough to require the airbag to inflate. The control
module receives the level of collision severity from the
side impact sensors. The airbag control module will not
detect rollover or rear impacts.
The side impact SRS Airbags are designed to activate
only in certain side collisions. When the airbag control
module detects a collision requiring the side curtain
airbags to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side
of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the side curtain airbags. The inflating side curtain
airbag pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the
way and inflates (in about the same 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 side curtain airbag inflates. This
especially applies to children. The side curtain airbag is
only about 3
1⁄2inches (83⁄4cm) thick when it is inflated.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in an impact. While the airbag system is designed to
be maintenance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•TheAIRBAGlight 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.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an airbag deployment, your vehicle is
designed to record up to 2-seconds of specific vehicle
data parameters (see list below) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment. Please note
that such data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
and are otherwise unavailable. In conjunction with other
data gathered during a complete accident investigation,
the electronic data may be used by DaimlerChrysler andothers to learn more about the possible causes of crashes
and associated injuries in order to assess and improve
vehicle performance. In addition to crash investigations
initiated by DaimlerChrysler, such investigations may be
requested by customers, insurance carriers, government
officials, and professional crash researchers, such as those
associated with universities, and with hospital and insur-
ance organizations.
In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
DaimlerChrysler (regardless of initiative), the company
or its designated representative will first obtain permis-
sion of the appropriate custodial entity for the vehicle
(usually the vehicle owner or lessee) before accessing the
electronic data stored, unless ordered to download data
by a court with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a
warrant). A copy of the data will be provided to the
custodial entity upon request. General data that does not
identify particular vehicles or crashes may be released for
incorporation in aggregate crash databases, such as those
maintained by the US government and various states.
Data of a potentially sensitive nature, such as would
identify a particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

treated confidentially. Confidential data will not be dis-
closed by DaimlerChrysler to any third party except
when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
•Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
•Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Seatbelt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
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.
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.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

indicating that the active and hold status of the two calls
have switched. Only one call can be placed on hold at one
time.
Conference Call
When two calls are in progress (one active and one on
hold), press and hold the’Phone’button until you hear a
double beep indicating that the two calls have been
joined into one conference call.
Three-Way Calling
To initiate three-way calling, press the’Voice Recogni-
tion’button while a call is in progress and make a second
phone call as described in sectionMaking a Second Call
while Current Call in Progress.After the second call has
established, press and hold the’Phone’button until you
hear a double beep indicating that the two calls have
been joined into one conference call.
Call Termination
To end a call in progress, momentarily press the’Phone’
button. All active calls will be terminated.
Redial
•
Press the’Phone’button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
Redial.
•The UConnect™system will call the last number that
was dialed on your cellular phone. Note: this may not
be the last number dialed from the UConnect™sys-
tem.
Call Continuation
Call continuation is progression of a phone call on
UConnect™system after the vehicle ignition key has
been switched to LOCK. Call continuation functionality
can be of three types:
•After ignition key is switched to LOCK, a call can
continue on the UConnect™system either until the
call ends or until the vehicle battery condition dictates
cessation of the call on the UConnect™system and
transfer of the call to the mobile phone.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73
3

•After ignition key is switched to LOCK, a call can
continue on the UConnect™system for certain dura-
tion, after which the call is automatically transferred
from the UConnect™system to the mobile phone.
•An active call is automatically transferred to the
mobile phone after ignition key is switched to LOCK
Vehicles, such as Pacifica, support this approach.
UConnect™System Features
Language Selection
To change the language that the UConnect™system is
using,
•Press the’Phone’button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
the name of the language you wish to switch to
(English, Espanol, or Francais, if so equipped).
•Continue to follow the system prompts to complete
language selection.
After selecting one of the languages, all prompts and
voice commands will be in that language.
NOTE:After every UConnect™language change op-
eration, you need to re-enter names to the phonebook
and re-pair (re-link) phone(s).
Emergency Assistance
If you are in an emergency and the mobile phone is
reachable:
•Pick up the phone and manually dial the emergency
number for your area.
If the phone is not reachable and the UConnect™system
is operational, you may reach the emergency number as
follows:
•Press the’Phone’button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
Emergencyand the UConnect™system will instruct
the paired cellular phone to call the emergency num-
ber. This feature is only supported in the USA.
NOTE:The UConnect™system does slightly lower
your chances of successfully making a phone call as to
that for the cell phone directly.
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

•fully closed windows, and
•dry weather condition.
•Operation from driver seat.
•Performance, such as, audio clarity, echo. and loud-
ness to a large degree, rely on the phone and network,
and not the UConnect™system.
•Echo at far end can sometime be reduced by lowering
the in-vehicle audio volume.
Bluetooth Communication Link
Cellular phones have been found to occasionally loose
connection to the UConnect™system. When this hap-
pens, the connection can generally be re-established byswitching the phone off/on. Your cell phone is recom-
mended to remain in Bluetoothonmode.
Reset
In rare instances, it may be necessary to reset the UCon-
nect™system. The reset feature is exercised by pressing
and holding the’UConnect™’and’Voice Recognition’
buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds. Normally, you do
not need to exercise this feature.
Power-Up
After switching ignition key from LOCK to either ON or
ACC position, or after a reset, you must wait at least five
(5) seconds prior to using the system.
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE