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.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions. But even in collisions where the
airbags work, 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 always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.
Infants in rear-facing child restraints (designed for chil-
dren up to 20 lbs (9 kg) and at least one year old) shouldNEVERride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passen-
ger front airbag, unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag
deployment can cause severe injury or death to infants in
this position.
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (Refer to “Child Restraint” in this
section.) 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. 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. Refer to “Child Restraint” in this section.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel And Column
•Instrument Panel
•Crash Sensor
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
How The Airbag System Works
•
TheAirbag Control Module (ACM)determines if a
frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate.
•The ACM will not detect side, roll over, or rear
impacts.
•The ACM also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
ignition key is in the OFF or ACC position, or not in
the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
•Also, the ACM turns on the “Airbag Warning Light” 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 “Airbag Warning
Light” will illuminate for a minimum of 12 seconds
and will remain illuminated as long as the malfunction
exists.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
•The 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.
•Children 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 “convertible” 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.
•The 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.
•The 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.)
•For additional information refer to www.seatcheck.org
or call 1-866-SEATCHECK.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
2
WARNING!
•Improper 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.
•A 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.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before 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.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•The 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
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
13. Oil Pressure Gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. This gauge does not
indicate oil level, and pressure varies with engine
speed, temperature and oil viscosity. Consistent lower
readings indicate possible malfunction. Seek authorized
service.
14. Coolant Temperature Gauge
Indicates engine coolant temperature. The red
zone to the far right indicates possible overheat-
ing. Seek authorized service immediately if the
gauge operates in the red zone. In U.S. vehicles, tempera-
ture is indicated in degrees fahrenheit; in Canadian
vehicles in degrees centigrade.
15. Airbag Warning Light
This indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned on. If
the light does not come on for 6 to 8 seconds,stays on or comes on while driving, have the airbag
system checked by an authorized dealer.
16. Check Gauges Warning Light
This light monitors the engine coolant tem-
perature, engine oil pressure, and voltage
gauges. If it detects an extreme condition a
chime will sound and the light will come on. If the light
comes on, check the operation of these gauges for a
malfunction condition.
17. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine, and
automatic transmission control systems. The light
will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 145
4
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)...........................37,38
Lubrication, Body....................... 264
Maintenance, Airbag...................... 33
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 261
Maintenance Procedures................... 253
Maintenance Schedule.................... 300
ScheduleA......................... 314
ScheduleB.......................... 303
Maintenance Schedules.................... 300
Malfunction Indicator Light..............145,251
Manual, Service......................... 328
Manual Transmission..................181,276
Fluid Level Check...................... 276
Lubricant Selection..................... 276
Shift Speeds.......................... 183
Master Cylinder......................... 273
Mirrors................................ 50Automatic Dimming..................... 50
Compass/Temperature................... 50
Outside.............................. 54
Rearview............................. 50
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 9
Mopar Parts.........................252,327
Multi-Function Control Lever................ 62
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 44
Occupant Restraints....................... 19
Octane Rating, Gasoline................... 223
Odometer............................. 146
Trip ................................ 146
Off-Pavement Driving.................... 202
Off-Road Driving........................ 202
Oil, Engine............................ 253
Capacity............................ 295
Dipstick............................. 253
340 INDEX