2006 JEEP COMMANDER airbag off

•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner
•Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front Pas-
senger Seat Only
Occupant Classification Module
Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
Weight Sensors
How The Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Control (ORC) Modulede-
termines if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe
enough to require the front and/or side airbags to
inflate. The front airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of airbag inflation from direc-
tion provided by the ORC. The ORC may also modify
the rate of inflation based on the occupant size pro-
vided by the Occupant Classification Module. The
ORC will detect roll overs, not rear impacts.The ORC 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 instru-
ment 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.
Also, the ORC turns on the “Airbag Warning
Light” and “PAD Indicator Light” for 6 to 8
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the “Air-
bag Warning Light” will turn off. The “PAD Indicator
Light” will function normally (Refer toPassenger Air-
bag Disable (PAD) Indicator Lightin this section). If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the “Airbag Warning Light” either momen-
tarily or continuously. A single chime will sound if the
light comes on again after initial start up.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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WARNING!
Ignoring the “Airbag Warning Light” 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.
•TheOccupant Classification System (OCS)is part of
a Federally regulated safety system required for this
vehicle. It is designed to turn off the front passenger
airbag in the unlikely event that a rear-facing infant
seat is in the front passenger seat.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 Indi-
cator Light” illuminates the wordsPASS AIR BAG
OFFto 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 airbag
will not inflate even though the “PAD Indicator Light”
is not illuminated.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The “PAD Indicator 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 anadult passenger is properly seated in the front passen-
ger seat. In this case, the airbag is ready to be inflated
if a collision requiring an airbag occurs.
For almost all properly installed rear facing child re-
straints, the “PAD Indicator Light” will be illuminated
indicating that the front passenger airbag is turned off
and will not inflate. If the “PAD Indicator Light” is not
illuminated,DO NOTassume the airbag is turned off
and move the child restraint to the rear seat. A deploying
passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to a
child in a rear facing infant seat.
NOTE:Even though this vehicle is equipped with an
Occupant Classification System, children 12 years and
under should always ride buckled up in a rear seat in an
appropriate child restraint.
Indicator Light Location
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Front Passenger
Seat OccupantPassenger Air-
bag Disable
(PAD) Indicator
LightAirbag Status
Adult OFF ON
Grocery Bags,
Heavy Briefcases
and Other Rela-
tively Light Ob-
jectsON OFF
Empty or Very
Small ObjectsOFF* OFF
* Since the system senses weight, some small objects
will turn the PAD Indicator Light on.
The OCS classifies an occupant using weight sensors
mounted in the base of the front passenger seat. Any
weight on the seat will be sensed by the system. Objects
hanging on the seat or other passengers pushing down
on the seat will also be sensed. The weight of an adultwill 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 occu-
pant’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
improperly classified. Ensure that the front passenger
seat back does not touch anything placed on the back seat
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

because this can also affect occupant classification. Also,
if you fold down the rear seat check to be sure it doesn’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 islodged under the seat and interferes with operation of
the weight 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
are possible, based on collision severity and occupant
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the 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-
trol (ORC) Module. The ORC uses the occupant cat-
egory 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.
•TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagsare de-
signed to activate only in certain side or rollover
collisions. When the ORC (with side impact option)
detects a collision requiring the side curtain airbag 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 airbag. The inflating side cur-
tain airbag 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 side
curtain airbag inflates. This especially applies to chil-
dren. The side curtain airbag is only about 3
12inches
(9 cm) thick when it is inflated.
•TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 Child Restraints
•
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year oldandweigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and “convertible” child seats.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). “Convertible” child seats often
have a higher weight limit in the rearward-facing
direction than infant carriers do, so they can be used
rearward-facing by children who weigh more than 20
lbs (9 kg) but are less than one year old. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage
system (Refer to LATCH — Child Seat Anchorage
System in this section.)
•Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
airbag unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag
deployment could cause severe injury or death to
infants in this position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
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engine start. If the bulb does not come on when turning
the key from OFF to ON, have the condition checked
promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See
page 348 for more information.)6. Airbag Warning Light
This light turns on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
7. Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System.
The light will turn on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for as long as
four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
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