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
²Driver Airbag Special Features
Driver airbag deployment and force level is controlled by
the driver's seat position as well as impact severity. Use
of special inflators, result in a very compact driver's
airbag.
In addition to the small size, the inflating gasses exit
through strategically placed vents, which direct the gas
away from the occupant.
²Front Passenger Airbag Special Features
A new active venting front-passenger airbag is designed
to reduce the risk of occupants who may be out of
position by the use of active vents positioned on each
side of the airbag.
²Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) is part of a
Federally regulated safety system required for this ve-
hicle.The ORC determines if a frontal collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
sensor signals, a central electronic ORC deploys the front
airbags, front seat mounted side and head airbags, and
front seat belt pretensioners as required for each type of
impact.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or ON position. These include all of the items listed
above except the steering wheel and column, instrument
panel, and passenger knee bolsters. If the key is in the
LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the
ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
will deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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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
fuses. Refer to ªFusesº in this manual for fuse location
information. See your authorized dealer for service.
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 be
used 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
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
MIRRORS
Automatic Dimming Mirror
This mirror automatically adjusts for annoying headlight
glare from vehicles behind you. You can turn the feature
on or off by pressing the button at the base of the mirror.
A light will illuminate to indicate when the dimming
feature is activated.
1 Ð Auto Dimming Mirror Power Indicator
2 Ð On / Off Switch
3 Ð Auto Dimming Mirror Sensor 96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsi-
bility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
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 theTPMS 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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185
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EVIC will flash the CAL indicator until the compass is
calibrated. You may calibrate the compass by completing
one or more 360É turns (in an area free from large metal
or metallic objects) until the CAL indicator in the EVIC
turns off. The compass will now function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic, inaccurate, or abnormal,
you may wish to calibrate the compass manually. How-
ever, 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. Leave the selector lever in PARL in
order to enter the EVIC Programming Menus.
2. Press and release the MENU Button until ªPersonal
Settingsº displays in the EVIC.
3. Press and release the STEP button until ªCalibrate
Compass Yesº displays in the EVIC.4. Press and release the RESET Button and the CAL
indicator will quit flashing.
5. Drive the vehicle slowly, completing one or more
circles (in an area free from large metal or metallic
objects) until the CAL indicator turns off. The compass
will now function normally.Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and Geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set
using the following procedure:
NOTE:Magnetic materials and cell phones should be
kept away from the top of the Instrument Panel. This is
where the compass sensor is located.
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
²ECONOMY MODE
If economy mode is desired, press the A/C button to turn
off the indicator light and the A/C compressor. Then,
move the temperature control to the desired temperature.
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Ð If Equipped
Automatic Operation
The Infrared Climate Control System automatically
maintains the climate in the cabin of the vehicle at thecomfort levels desired by the driver and passenger. To
accomplish this, the system gathers information from the
cabin infrared sensor mounted between the sun-visors
and from various sensors located throughout the vehicle.
The controls on the climate control provide the system
with operator input. Other sensors take account of ve-
hicle speed, A/C pressure, outside temperature, and
engine cooling temperature. Using all of these inputs, the
system automatically adjusts airflow temperature, air-
flow distribution, airflow volume, and the amount of
outside air recirculation. This maintains a comfortable
temperature even under changing conditions.
Operation of the system is quite simple.
1. Turn the Mode Control knob (on the right) and the
Blower Control knob (on the left) to AUTO.
NOTE:The AUTO position performs best for front seat
occupants only.
Automatic Temperature Control
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 237
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