2008 DODGE CARAVAN Owners Manual

moderate to severe side collisions. In certain types of
collisions, both the front and side airbags may be trig-
gered. However, even in collisions where the airbags
work, you need the seat belts to keep you in the right
position for the airbags to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1.Children 12 years old and younger should always
ride buckled up in a rear seat.
Infants in rear-facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle seat
belt properly (see Section on Child Restraints should be
secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats. Older children who do not usechild restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should
ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow
children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under
their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. Refer to the section on Child Restraints.
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.
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4.If your vehicle has side 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!
Relying 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.
WARNING!
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.
²Side airbags also need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
Airbag Deployment Sensors and Controls
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
TheORCis part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle.
The ORC determines if a frontal or side collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
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impact sensors signals, a central electronic ORC deploys
the front airbags, side inflatable airbag curtains, side seat
thorax airbags, and front seat belt pretensioners as re-
quired 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 components
listed above except the steering wheel and column,
instrument panel, and seat belt reminder light. If the key
is in the OFF 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.
Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warning
light in the instrument panel for approximately
four to six 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.
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Front and Side Impact Sensors
Impact Sensors trigger airbag deployment in front and
side impacts, and aid the ORC in determining appropri-
ate response to impact events. Additional sensors in the
ORC determine the level of airbag deployment and
provide verification.
Acceleration Sensors
Acceleration Sensors trigger airbag deployment based on
dramatic acceleration change of the vehicle.
Pressure Sensors
Pressure Sensors trigger airbag deployment based on
door cavity pressure changes.
Rollover Sensors
Rollover Sensors trigger airbag deployment in the event
of vehicle rollover and aid the ORC in deploying Side
Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) for rollover events.
Supplemental Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) Ð If Equipped
The ORC deploys the SABIC during collision with other
vehicles and during collisions where the impact is con-
fined to a particular area of the vehicle Ð such as
collisions with poles, trees or similar objects.
It will deploy the SABIC only on the impact side of the
vehicle.
NOTE:The ORC does detect and protect for rollover
when equipped with SABIC airbags.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing airbag deployment, and
the vehicle communication network intact, and the
power intact, the Enhanced Accident Response System
performs the following functions:
²Cuts off fuel to the engine.
²Flashes hazard lights.
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²Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
²Unlocks the doors automatically.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag systems are designed to deploy when the
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) detect a moderate-
to-severe collision, to help restrain the driver, front
passenger and rear passengers, 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.
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
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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, and the front passenger seat
belt retractor assembly replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Also, have the Occupant
Restraint Controller System serviced as well.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications 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, including 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.
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.
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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.
NOTE:
Perchlorate Material Ð special handling may ap-
ply. See: www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
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 mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on during the
approximately four to six seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned ON.
²The light remains on after the approximately four to
six-second interval.
²The light comes on and remains on while driving.
NOTE:If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The airbags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to the label
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located on the inside of the fuse block cover for the
proper airbag fuses. See your authorized dealer if the
fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to approximately five seconds of specific
vehicle data parameters (see the following list) in an
event data recorder prior to the moment of airbag de-
ployment, or near deployment, and up to a quarter-
second of high-speed deceleration data during and/or
after airbag deployment. 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
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