2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Owners Manual

objects are placed on the seat, the passenger air bag
will not inflate even though the PAD indicator lamp is
not illuminated.
²The PAD indictor light should not be illu-
minated 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 an adult passenger is
properly seated in the front passenger seat. In this
case, the air bag is ready to be inflated if a collision
requiring an airbag occurs.For all other occupants, the PAD indicator light will be
illuminated indicating that the front passenger airbag
is turned off and will not inflate.
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 (see section on child re-
straints).
WARNING!
Never place a rear facing infant seat in front of an
airbag. A deploying passenger airbag can cause death
or serious injury to a child in a rear facing infant seat.
Passenger Airbag Disabled Light
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Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) System
Front Passenger Indicator Light Airbag Status
Adult OFF ON
Child ON OFF
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.
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 occupant's weight
is transferred to another part of the vehicle (like the door
or instrument panel), the weight sensors in the seat maynot 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 improp-
erly classified. Ensure that the front passenger seat back
does not touch anything placed on the second row of
seats because this can also affect occupant classification.
Also, if you fold down the seats in the second row check
to be sure they don'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 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
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indicates that you should take the vehicle to an autho-
rized 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 PAD
Indicator Light the Airbag Warning Light remains illu-
minated to show that the passenger airbag is turned off
until the fault is cleared. If an object is lodged 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.
²TheDriver 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 ratesmay be possible based on collision severity and occu-
pant 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. The driver's and pas-
senger's front airbag gas is vented through holes in the
sides of the airbag. In this way the airbags do not
interfere with your control of the vehicle.
²TheOccupant 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 ORC. The ORC uses the
occupant category to determine whether the front
passenger airbag should be turned off. It also deter-
mines the rate of airbag inflation during a collision.
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²Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
²TheHead/Thorax Airbag and Supplemental Re-
straint Systemsare designed to activate only in certain
side collisions. The ORC module determines if a side
collision is severe enough to require the Head/Thorax
airbags to inflate. The side airbag control module will
not detect roll over, front or rear collisions.
The ORC Module monitors the readiness of the elec-
tronic parts of the system whenever the ignition switch
is in the START or ON positions. These include all of
the items listed underªThe Side Airbag Systemº, on
vehicles equipped, consists of the followingº.
In moderate to severe side collisions, the side airbag
inflator on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered,
releasing a quantity of nontoxic gas. The inflating Head/Thorax Airbags exit through the seat seam into the space
between the occupant and the door. The Head/Thorax
airbags moves at a very high speed and with such a high
force, that it could injure you if you are not seated
properly, or if items are positioned in the area where the
side airbag inflates. This especially applies to children.
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. Al-
ways use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
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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.
WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service procedures to the
front passenger seat assembly, its related components,
or seat cover may inadvertently change the airbag
deployment in case of a frontal crash. This could result
in death or serious injury to the front seat passenger if
the vehicle is involved in an accident. A modified
vehicle may not comply with required Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag systems are designed to deploy when the
airbag control modules detect a moderate-to-severe col-
lision, to help restrain the driver and front passenger, and
then immediately deflate.
NOTE:A collision that is not severe enough to need
airbag protection will not activate the system. This does
not mean something is wrong with the airbag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
²The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
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However, if you haven't healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
²As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioners, front passenger seat belt
retractor assembly, and Occupant Classification Sys-
tem replaced and/or serviced by an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
Modifications to any part of the airbag system could
cause it to fail when you need it. You could be
injured if the airbag system is not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring, in-
cluding adding any kind of badges or stickers to the
steering wheel hub trim cover or the upper right side
of the instrument panel. Do not modify the front
bumper, vehicle body structure, or add aftermarket
side steps or running boards.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced
airbag system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
advanced airbag system service. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be serviced
in any way (including removal or loosening/
tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle
to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary
to modify an advanced airbag system for persons
with disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
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WARNING!
²Do not place or hang any items such as add-on
video players on the right front passenger seat
back. The additional weight may cause the Occu-
pant Classification System to be unable to cor-
rectly classify the right front occupant. This could
allow the passenger frontal airbag to inflate when
it is not desired.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact blocker
panels.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.NOTE:
Perchlorate Material ± special handling may ap-
ply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.º
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on during the six to
eight seconds when the ignition switch is first turned
on.
²The light remains on after the six to eight second
interval.
²The light comes on and remains on while driving.
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