2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER sensor

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
98 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 list below) 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 air bag deployment or near-
deployment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag
deploys, or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavail-
able.
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 be
used by DaimlerChrysler and others to learn more about
the possible causes of crashes and associated injuries in
order to assess and improve vehicle performance. In
addition to crash investigations initiated by
DaimlerChrysler, such investigations may be requested
by customers, insurance carriers, government officials,
and professional crash researchers, such as those associ-
ated with universities, and with hospital and insurance
organizations.
In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
DaimlerChrysler (regardless of initiative), the company
or its designated representative will first obtain permis-
sion 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
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Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
(Refer to ªTire Inflation Pressuresº under ªTires Ð Gen-
eral Informationº and to ªTire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS)º in Section 5 of this manual for more informa-
tion).
228 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:Magnetic materials such as a laptop computer,
cell phone, and PDA's (anything with a battery), should
be kept away from the top of the instrument panel. This
is where the compass sensor is located.
To Set the Variance
Start the engine, and leave the transmission gear selector
lever in the PARK position. Press and hold (approxi-
mately ten seconds) the compass/temperature reset but-
ton until the current variance zone number is displayed.
To change the zone, press and release the reset button to
increment the variance one step. Repeat as necessary,
until the desired variance is achieved.
NOTE:The factory default zone is 8. During program-
ming, the zone value will wrap around from zone 15 to
zone 1.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 237
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Automatic Compass Calibration
The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating, eliminat-
ing the need to manually calibrate the compass. When
the vehicle is new, the compass may appear erratic and
the CAL indicator message will flash in the EVIC until
the calibration is complete.
A good calibration requires a level surface and an envi-
ronment free from large metallic objects such as build-
ings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks, etc.
Calibrate the compass by driving slowly, under 5 mph (8
km/h) in one or more complete circles in a area free from
large metallic objects, until the CAL indicator in the EVIC
turns off. The compass will now function normally.
NOTE:Keep all magnetic objects, such as laptop com-
puters, cell phones and PDAs (anything with a battery)
away from the compass sensor which is located in the top
of the instrument panel. These devices can interfere with
compass accuracy and performance.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears to be inaccurate, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass, make sure the proper compass variance value
(zone) is selected (refer to the above ªCompass Varianceº
for additional information. Then continue to calibrate the
compass as follows:
1. Start the engine, and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
2. Press and hold (approximately 10 seconds) the
Compass/Temperature reset button until the current
variance zone number is displayed.
3. Release the reset button, then press and hold again
(approximately 10 seconds), until the direction is dis-
played with the ªCALº indicator on continuously in the
display.
238 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Display English or Metric
The EVIC, odometer, and navigation system units can be
changed between English and Metric.
Press and hold the EVIC button when in this display until
ªUSº or ªMETRICº appears to make your selection.
Automatic Compass Calibration
The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating, eliminat-
ing the need to manually calibrate the compass. When
the vehicle is new, the compass may appear erratic and
the ªCALº indicator message will flash in the EVIC until
the calibration is complete.
A good calibration requires a level surface and an envi-
ronment free from large metallic objects such as build-
ings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks, etc.
Calibrate the compass by driving slowly, under 5 mph (8
km/h) in one or more complete circles in a area free fromlarge metallic objects, until the ªCALº indicator in the
EVIC turns off. The compass will now function normally.
NOTE:Keep all magnetic objects, such as laptop com-
puters, cell phones and PDA's (anything with a battery)
away from the compass sensor which is located in the top
of the instrument panel. These devices can interfere with
compass accuracy and performance.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears to be inaccurate, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass, make sure the proper Compass Variance Value
is selected (Refer to ªCompass Varianceº for additional
information). Then continue to calibrate the compass as
follows:
1. Start the engine and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 247
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