Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Side Remote Acceleration Sensors (if equipped)
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Front Passenger Airbag
•Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags above side win-
dows (if equipped)
•Supplemental Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags (if
equipped)
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Seat Belt Reminder Light
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How the Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC will not
detect rollover.
•For vehicles so equipped, the ORC also determines if a
side impact is severe enough to deploy the supple-
mental side curtain airbag and/or supplemental front
seat mounted side airbag as required for each type of
impact.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
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Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see the following list) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment, or near
deployment, and up to a quarter second of high-speed
deceleration data during and/or after airbag deploy-
ment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag
sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indica-
tive of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag
deployment.
2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may beused by DaimlerChrysler Corporation and others to learn
more about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, such investigations may
be requested by customers, insurance carriers, govern-
ment officials, and professional crash researchers, such as
those associated with universities, and with hospital and
insurance organizations.
In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation (regardless of initiative),
the company or its designated representative will first
obtain permission 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
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
setting 5 or 6 if you desire more sensitivity. Place the lever
in the OFF position when not using the system.
NOTE:
•The rain sensing feature will not operate when the
wiper speed is in the LOW or HIGH position.
•The rain sensing feature may not function properly
when ice or dried salt water is present on the wind-
shield.
•Use of Rain-Xor products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.
•The rain sense feature can be enabled or disabled.
Refer to “Rain Sensing Intermittent Wipers,” under
“Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Fea-
tures),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in Section 4.The rain sensing system has protective features for the
wiper blades and arms. It will not operate under the
following conditions:
•Low Temperature Wipe Inhibit— The rain sensing
feature will not operate when the ignition is first
switched ON, and the vehicle is stationary, and the
outside temperature is below 32°F (0°C), unless the
wiper control on the multifunction lever is moved, or
the vehicle speed becomes greater than 0 mph (0
km/h), or the outside temperature rises above freez-
ing.
•Neutral Wipe Inhibit— The rain sensing feature will
not operate when the ignition is ON, and the trans-
mission shift lever is in the NEUTRAL position, and
the vehicle speed is less than 5 mph (8 km/h), unless
the wiper control on the multifunction lever is moved
or the shift lever is moved out of the NEUTRAL
position.
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ACC will allow you to keep cruise control engaged in
light to moderate traffic conditions without the constant
need to reset your cruise control. ACC utilizes an infrared
sensor designed to detect a vehicle directly ahead in your
path.
NOTE:
•If the sensor does not detect a vehicle directly ahead of
you, ACC will function in the same way as a standard
cruise control system. For additional information, refer
to “Electronic Speed Control” in this section.
•If the ACC sensor detects a vehicle ahead, ACC will
apply limited braking or acceleration automatically so
that your vehicle maintains a preset following dis-
tance.
WARNING!
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a convenience system. It is not
a substitute for active driving involvement. It is always the
driver ’s responsibility to be attentive of road, traffic, and weather
conditions, vehicle speed, distance to the vehicle ahead; and, most
importantly, brake operation to ensure safe operation of the
vehicle under all road conditions. Your complete attention is
always required while driving to maintain safe control of your
vehicle. Failure to follow these warnings can result in an accident
or serious personal injury.
•The ACC system:
Does not react to pedestrians, oncoming vehicles, and stationary
objects (i.e., a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam or a disabled
vehicle).
Does not predict the lane curvature or the movement of preceding
vehicles and will not compensate for such changes.
Cannot take street, traffic, and weather conditions into account,
and may be limited upon adverse sight distance conditions.
Does not always fully recognize complex driving conditions,
which can result in wrong or missing distance warnings.
May not detect a vehicle ahead when strong light (for example,
sunrise or sunset) is directly shining on the front of the vehicle.
Can only apply a maximum of 25% of the vehicle’s braking
capability, and will not bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Setting the Following Distance in ACC
The specified following distance for ACC can be set by
varying the distance setting between long, medium, and
short. Using this distance setting and the vehicle speed,
ACC calculates and sets the distance to the vehicle ahead.
This distance setting displays in the EVIC.To can change the distance setting, push the lever away
from you to DISTANCE and release. Each time this is
done, the distance setting toggles between long, medium,
and short.
If there is no vehicle ahead, the vehicle will maintain the
set speed. If a slower moving vehicle is detected in the
same lane, the EVIC displays the “Sensed Vehicle Indi-
cator” icon, and the system adjusts vehicle speed auto-
matically to maintain the distance setting, regardless of
the set speed.
The vehicle will then maintain the set distance until:
•The vehicle ahead accelerates to a speed above the set
speed.
•The vehicle ahead moves out of your lane or view of
the sensor.
•The vehicle ahead slows to a speed below 15 mph (24
km/h) and the system automatically disables itself.1 — Sensor Bars. Default Distance Setting is Three Bars = Long.UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 161
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If weather conditions are not a factor, the driver should
examine the sensor. It may require cleaning or removal of
an obstruction. The sensor is located behind the grille,
slightly offset from the center of the grille.To keep the ACC System operating properly, it is impor-
tant to note the following maintenance items:
•Always keep the sensor clean. Carefully wipe the
sensor lens with a soft cloth. Be cautious not to
damage the sensor lens.
ACC Sensor Location
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not remove any screws from the sensor or the
sensor mount. Doing so could cause an ACC system
malfunction or failure and require a sensor re-
alignment.
•If the sensor is damaged due to an accident, see your
authorized dealer for service.
•Do not attach or install any accessories near the sensor,
including transparent material or aftermarket grilles.
Doing so could cause an ACC system failure or
malfunction.
When the condition that deactivated the system is no
longer present, the system will return to the “ACC Off”
state and will resume function by simply reactivating it.
NOTE:Installing a vehicle front-end protector or an
aftermarket grille or modifying the grille is not recom-
mended. Doing so may block the sensor and inhibit ACC
operation.
ACC Unavailable Warning
If the system turns off, and the EVIC displaysACC
UNAVAILABLE,there may be a temporary malfunction
that limits ACC functionality. In this case, ACC will be
temporarily unavailable. If this occurs, try activating
ACC again later, following a key cycle. If the problem
persists, see your authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 167
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General Information
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
Classification Specifications:
21 C.F.R part 1040.10 & 1040.11
DIN EN 60825-1:2003
IEC 60825-1:2001
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM
The Rear Park Assist System is a driver aid that senses for
obstacles behind the vehicle. Refer to the Warnings,
Cautions, and Notes in this section for system limitations
and usage recommendations.
The Rear Park Assist System is active when the driver
shifts the transmission into the REVERSE position, and
the parking brake is not applied, and the vehicle speed is
less than 10 mph (16 km/h).The system can be turned on or off through the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) when the vehicle is in
PARK. Refer to “Personal Settings (Customer Program-
mable Features)” under “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in Section 4.
The system uses four sensors located in the rear bumper
to scan for obstacles up to 59 in (150 cm) away from the
rear bumper fascia. The warning display located above
the rear window provides both visible and audible
warnings to indicate the range of the object.
172 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE