2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE warning

Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belts for both front seating positions are
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to
remove slack from the seat belt in the event of a collision.
These devices improve the performance of the seat belt
by assuring that the belt is tight about the occupant early
in a collision. Pretensioners work for all size occupants,
including those in child restraints.
In addition, the front passenger seat belt includes a
two-stage load-limiting feature to enhance occupant pro-
tection for the same reason.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC) (refer to information on Airbags
in this section). Like the front airbags, the pretensionersare single use items. After a collision that is severe
enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners, both
must be replaced.
Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlertT)
If the driver's seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlertt) will alert the driver to buckle their
seat belt. The driver should also instruct all other occu-
pants to buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is
triggered, the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt)
will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Reminder
Light for 96 seconds or until the driver's seat belt is
buckled.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt) will be reac-
tivated if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled for more than
10 seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8
km/h).
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2

BeltAlerttProgramming
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
performing the following steps:
NOTE:DaimlerChrysler does not recommend deacti-
vating the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt).
1. With all doors closed, and the ignition switch in any
position except ON or START, buckle the driver's seat
belt.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
start the engine. Wait for the Seat Belt Reminder Light to
turn off and then proceed to the next step.
NOTE:You must perform the following steps within 60
seconds of turning the ignition switch to the ON position.3. Within 60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the
ON position, unbuckle and then re-buckle the driver's
seat belt at least three times within 10 seconds, ending
with the seat belt buckled.
NOTE:Watch for the Seat Belt Reminder Light to turn
on while unbuckling and turn off while re-buckling the
seat belt. It may be necessary to retract the seat belt
partially after unbuckling it.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position. A
single chime will sound to signify that you have success-
fully completed the programming.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt) can be reac-
tivated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:Although BeltAlerttis deactivated, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will continue to illuminate as long as the
driver's seat belt is unbuckled.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, your
dealer can provide you with a seat belt extender. This
extender should be used only if the existing belt is not
long enough. When it is not required, remove the ex-
tender, and stow it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the lap belt is not long enough when it is worn
low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.
Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and front
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a dual-stage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured because
the airbags are no longer functional. These protective
covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open
only when the airbags are inflating.
²Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the seat airbags; the performance
could be adversely affected and/or objects could be
pushed into you, causing serious injury.
²Do not attach cup holders or any other objects on or
around the door. The inflating seat airbag could drive
the object into occupants, causing serious injury.
²Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in
any way.
²Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster such
as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios etc.
Front Airbag Components
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2.All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
3.The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front airbags
room to inflate.
4.If your vehicle has seat airbags, do not lean against
the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.
5.If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact
the Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided
under(If You Need Assistance(in Section 9 of this
manual.WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during front airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²Seat airbags also need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
²AIRBAG Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Front Passenger Airbag
²Supplemental seat side (Thorax) and head airbags.
²Front Impact Sensors
²Side Impact Sensors (If Equipped)
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Seat Belt Reminder Light
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How the Airbag System Works
²
Front Airbag Features
The front airbag system has dual-stage driver and front
passenger airbags. This system provides output appro-
priate to the level of crash severity as determined by the
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) and the impact
sensors at the front of the vehicle.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires airbag deployment. The timing of
the second stage determines whether the output force is
low, medium, or high. If a low output is sufficient to meet
the need, the second stage is expended later in the crash
event.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The ORC also turns on the AIRBAG warning
light in the instrument panel for six to eight
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is first
turned on. After the self-check, the AIRBAG
warning light will turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction
in any part of the system, it turns on the AIRBAG warning
light either momentarily or continuously. A single chime
will sound if the light comes on again after initial start up.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster airbag warning light if a malfunction is noted.
The diagnostics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument 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.
²Impact Sensors
Two sensors, located on the front body structure, trigger
airbag deployment in direct frontal impacts and aid the
ORC in determining appropriate response to frontal
impact events. Additional sensors in the ORC determine
the level of airbag deployment and provide verification.
²Supplemental Front-Seat-Mounted Side and Head
Airbags
Front-seat-mounted side and head airbags provide en-
hanced protection to help protect an occupant during a
side impact. The seat-mounted side and head airbags are
marked with an SRS label sewn into the outboard side of
the seat.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar.t
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.t
WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the front seat assembly, its related components, or
seat cover may inadvertently change the airbag de-
ployment in case of a frontal crash. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver or 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
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) detects a moderate-
to-severe collision, to help restrain the driver and front
passenger, and then immediately deflate.
NOTE:A frontal 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.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE