Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver and passenger frontal airbag/inflator units
²Driver and passenger side airbag/inflator units
²Driver and Passenger Inflatable Knee Blocker
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
²Side impact sensors
²Front Passenger Seat Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the Front Airbag System Works
²
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. Based on the level of collision
severity, the front control module determines the
proper rate of inflation. The front airbag inflators are
designed to provide different rates of airbag inflationfrom direction provided by the ORC. The ORC may
modify the rate of inflation based on the occupant size
provided by the Occupant Classification Module. The
ORC will not detect roll overs. The ORC monitors the
readiness of the electronic parts of the system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the START or RUN
positions. If the key is in the OFF 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
(located in the instrument cluster) and Passenger
Airbag Disable (PAD) indicator light (located in the
center console) for 4 seconds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned on. After the self-check, the
AIRBAG warning light will turn off. The PAD indica-
tor light will function normally (Refer to ªPassenger
Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Lightº in this section).
If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, it turns on the AIRBAG warning light either
momentarily or continuously.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
How the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
System Works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) will classify
an occupant in the front passenger seat into a size
category based on sensor readings from within the seat
cushion. Occupants should try to remain in a normally
seated position. If the occupant's weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (i.e. feet on the dashboard),
the OCS may not be able to properly approximate
occupant size. Furthermore, the occupant size may ap-
pear to increase or decrease due to objects hanging on the
seat, other passengers pushing on the seat, or objects
lodged underneath the seat. If there is a rapid change in
temperature or humidity, the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate occupant size. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be serviced in
any way, take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be used. If
there is a fault present in the system, the AIRBAG
warning light will light indicating that you should take
the vehicle to an authorized dealer. In the presence of an
occupant in the passenger seat, if both the PAD indicatorlight (located in the center console) and AIRBAG warn-
ing light (located in the instrument cluster) are illumi-
nated the airbag will be disabled. The ORC will not allow
front airbag deployment in the event of a collision for
occupants classified into the empty or child size catego-
ries. The PAD indicator light will illuminate indicating
that the Passenger Airbag is OFF when the OCS has
determined that the occupant size category is a child.
Also, when the seat is empty or an object that weighs less
than a predetermined threshold is placed on the seat, the
light will remain OFF. (The PAD indicator light is an
amber light located in the center console.) For almost all
sizes of properly seated adults, the passenger frontal
airbag will be enabled in the event of a collision. For
small teenagers and some small adults, depending on
size, the airbag may or may not be enabled in the event
of a collision. Both drivers and passengers should always
use the PAD indicator light as an indication if the front
passenger is properly positioned or not. If the PAD
indicator light comes on when an adult is in the passen-
ger seat, have the passenger re-position themselves in the
seat until the light goes out. Remember, if the PAD
indicator light is illuminated the passenger front airbag
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
will not inflate. For most children properly seated on the
front seat and most properly installed child restraint
systems, the airbag will be disabled and the PAD indica-
tor light will be on. However, under certain conditions
even with the child restraint system has been installed
properly, the PAD indicator light may not be on even
though the air bag is disabled. This can occur if the child
restraint is lighter than the threshold weight necessary to
turn the PAD indicator light on. If this happens to you,
you can check to ensure the airbag is disabled by
performing the following simple procedure. Place the
ignition key in the RUN position and apply downward
pressure to the child restraint on the surface that the child
will be sitting on. Slowly count to 10 and watch the PAD
indicator light. The PAD indicator light should turn on.
When you release the pressure, the PAD indicator light
may stay on or may turn off but the airbag is disabled. If
at all possible, place children 12 years and younger in a
back seat.The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired.
²Always use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fas-
tener be modified or replaced with any part except
those which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/
Mopar.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2
How the Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
Works
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
beneath the passenger seat.. The OCM classifies the
occupant into one of three size categories based on the
input from the Bladder Assembly and a Belt Tension
Sensor. The size categories include empty, child, and
adult. The OCM sends the Occupant Classification to the
ORC to determine if a front passenger airbag is allowed.
If a fault is present, the AIRBAG warning light is illumi-
nated.
How the Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD)
Indicator Light Works
The Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
indicates to the driver and passenger when the airbag is
turned OFF. In the presence of a properly seated occu-
pant, when the PAD indicator light is illuminated, the
airbag is OFF. Also, when the Occupant Classification
System detects either an empty seat or a weight less than
the predetermined threshold, the ORC will not illuminate
the PAD indicator light even though the airbag is turned
OFF.
How the Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) Works
The Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) is located at the outboard
passenger lap belt anchor. The BTS creates a signal based
on outboard lap belt tension. This signal is sent to the
OCM to ensure that the resultant bladder pressure in-
crease due to applied lap belt tension does not cause a
small occupant to be classified as a larger occupant
How the Bladder Mat and Pressure Sensor Works
The Bladder Mat and Pressure Sensor are located beneath
the seat cushion foam. The pressure sensor sends a signal
to the OCM. The passenger seat assembly contains criti-
cal components that affect the passenger airbag deploy-
ment. Correctly functioning passenger seat components
are critical for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
to properly classify the passenger and calculate the
proper airbag deployment. Do not make any modifica-
tions to the passenger seat components, assembly, or to
the seat cover.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
How the Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee
Blockers Works
When the ORC and the impact sensors detect a collision
requiring the Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee Blockers,
it signals the inflator unit. A quantity of nontoxic gas is
generated to inflate the Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee
Blockers. The Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee Blockers
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/Passenger Inflatable
Knee Blockers 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 Blockers help protect the knees and
position the occupant.
Passenger Front Airbag On/Off Switch
The ON/OFF switch is located at the right end of the
instrument panel and is accessible by opening the pas-
senger door.
NOTE:When using certain types of child seats, the
passenger airbag light will remain off even though the
passenger front airbags are disabled.
It is always recommended to turn off the passenger front
air bags using the passenger front airbags on/off switch
located at the right end of the instrument panel when the
passenger is:
²an infant (less than 1 year old),
²a child, age 1 to 12,
²an adult with a medical condition which makes pas-
senger airbag inflation (deployment) a greater risk for
the passenger than the risk of hitting the dashboard
(instrument panel) or windshield in a crash.
The on/off switch is accessible by opening the passenger
door.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
2
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS KeysObtaining Replacement KeysIgnition
Key RemovalKey-In-Ignition ReminderGLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK DOOR LOCKS Central Locking SwitchAutomatic Central LockingGeneral Notes On the Central Locking SystemEmergency Unlocking FeatureStart LockoutREMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY To Unlock the
DoorsTo Lock The DoorsPanic AlarmTo Use the Panic AlarmGeneral InformationTransmitter Battery ServiceSECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Tow-Away AlarmDECKLID INTERNAL EMERGENCY RELEASE - ROADSTER POWER WINDOWS Power Window Operation With
The Convertible Top Switch (Roadster Only)REAR LIFTGATE/DECKLID RELEASE OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS Lap/Shoulder BeltsSeat Belts and Pregnant WomenSeat Belt ExtenderSupplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag Child RestraintENGINE BREAK-IN
RECOMMENDATIONS SAFETY TIPS Exhaust GasSafety Checks You Should Make Inside the VehiclePeriodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside the VehicleUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION To Lower
The TopTo Raise The TopConvertible Top Lamp and Audible Signal ChartCONSOLE FEATURES Storage Compartments (If Equipped)AshtrayCoin HolderPower Outlet/Cigar LighterGlove CompartmentCUPHOLDER (If Equipped) MIRRORS Inside Day/Night MirrorExterior
Mirrors Folding FeatureHeated Remote Control Mirrors (If Equipped)Outside MirrorsPower Remote Control Outside MirrorsVanity Mirrors SEATS Manual Seat Adjustments (If Equipped)Driver Eight-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)Passenger Four-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)
Heated Seats (If Equipped)TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD INTERIOR LIGHTS Front Map/Reading LightsBattery Saver FeatureInstrument Panel LightingNightSecurity IlluminationEXTERIOR LIGHTS Headlights and Parking LightsDaytime Running Lights (Where
Applicable)Fog Lights (If Equipped)Standing LightsMULTIFUNCTION CONTROL LEVER Turn SignalsHeadlight Dimmer SwitchPassing LightWindshield Wipers And WasherMist FunctionTELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (if
equipped) REAR SPOILER BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (BAS) ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) Synchronizing ESPELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL To Vary The Speed SettingTo DeactivateTo Resume SpeedUsing Speed Control On HillsGARAGE DOOR
OPENER (If Equipped) Programming The Universal TransceiverGate Operator/Canadian ProgrammingUsing the Universal TransceiverErasing Universal Transceiver ButtonsReprogramming a Single ButtonSecurityUMBRELLA HOOK UNDERSTANDING YOUR
INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION INFINITY MODULUS AM/FM STEREO RADIO WITH SINGLE-DISC CD PLAYER AND GPS NAVIGATION AM/FM STEREO RADIO WITH
SINGLE-DISC CD PLAYER INFINITY MODULUS Entertainment SystemsCD Player OperationUser MenuUser Memory (USER - 1, 2, 3)Mono/StereoDriver - L/RTelephone mute characteristicsCOMPACT DISC MAINTENANCE RADIO ANTENNA RADIO OPERATION AND
CELLULAR PHONES CLIMATE CONTROLS Temperature ControlFan ControlBasic Setting - HeaterBasic Setting - Air ConditionerDust Filter (If Equipped)Operating Tips STARTING AND OPERATING STARTING PROCEDURES Normal StartingExtremely Cold Weather
(below -20 degrees F or -29 degrees C)If Engine Fails to StartAfter StartingTRANSMISSION SHIFTING Manual Transmission Recommended Shift SpeedsAutomatic Transmission StoppingManeuveringPark PositionReverseNeutralDriveAutoStick Gear selectionGear Ranges
Program mode selector switchEmergency Operation (Limp Home Mode)PARKING BRAKE BRAKE SYSTEM Brake Assist System (BAS)Electronic Stability Program (ESP)Synchronizing ESPESP Control switchAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)Brake Pad Break-InPOWER
STEERING TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Tire Markings Tire Identification Number (TIN)Tire Loading and Tire PressureTIRES-GENERAL INFORMATION Tire PressureTire Inflation PressuresRadial-Ply TiresTire SpinningTread Wear IndicatorsReplacement TiresAlignment
And BalanceTIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (If Equipped) General InformationTIRE CHAINS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES SNOW TIRES TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS FUEL REQUIREMENTS Reformulated GasolineGasoline/Oxygenate BlendsMMT
in GasolineMaterials Added to FuelSulfur in GasolineADDING FUEL Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)VEHICLE LOADING Roof Luggage RackTRAILER TOWING WHAT TO DOIN EMERGENCIES HAZARD WARNING FLASHER IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS TIREFIT TIRE
REPAIR AND JACKING TIREFITPreparations for JackingJack Location and Instructions JUMP-STARTING THE BATTERY DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES Traction FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE Towing EyesTow-Away Alarm
CONVERTIBLE TOP EMERGENCY OPERATION Relieving Hydraulic PressureOpening a Locked DecklidMAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 3.2L ENGINE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II) EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
REPLACEMENT PARTS DEALER SERVICE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES Engine OilIgnition Wiring SystemCrankcase Emission Control SystemMaintenance-Free BatteryAir ConditionerPower Steering FluidChassis LubricationBody LubricationWindshield Wiper Blades
Windshield Wiper Blade ReplacementWindshield Washer ReservoirExhaust SystemCooling SystemHoses And Vacuum/Vapor HarnessesBrakesAutomatic TransmissionManual TransmissionAppearance Care and Protection from CorrosionCONVERTIBLE TOP CARE
WashingGeneral CleaningWeather Strip CareFUSES Underhood Accessory Fuse Block FusesRelay Control Module Fuses Interior Fuses REPLACEMENT BULBSInterior Light BulbsExterior Light BulbsEXTERIOR LIGHT BULB SERVICE HeadlightsFront Turn Signal and
Parking/Standing LightsFront and Rear Sidemarker LightsTail, Stop, Back Up and Turn Signal LightsLicense Plate LightHeadlight AimingVEHICLE STORAGE SPECIFICATIONS FLUID CAPACITIES RECOMMENDED FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS Engine
ChassisBodyMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES INTRODUCTION WARRANTY EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES SCOPE OF WORK FOR A SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE SERVICESCOPE OF WORK FOR B SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICEFSS SYSTEM REGULAR CHECK-UPS Additional Periodic MaintenanceSPECIAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS CoolantDust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement (If Equipped)ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER REPLACEMENT IF
YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE FOR YOUR VEHICLE Prepare For The AppointmentPrepare A ListBe Reasonable With RequestsIF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WARRANTY INFORMATION MOPAR PARTS REPORTING
SAFETY DEFECTS In CanadaPUBLICATION ORDER FORMS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES TreadwearTraction GradesTemperature GradesINDEX