2008 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

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 the seat belt and turn off while
re-buckling the seat belt. It may be necessary to retract
the seat belt.
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 (BeltAlert) can be reacti-
vated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:When the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert)
is deactivated, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will continue
to illuminate as long as the driver's seat belt is unbuck-
led.Automatic Locking Mode Ð If Equipped
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-
locked. However, the belt will still retract to remove any
slack in the shoulder belt.
When To Use The Automatic Locking Mode
Anytime a child safety seat is installed in the rear
outboard seating position. Children 12 years old and
under should be properly restrained in the rear seat
whenever possible.
How To Use The Automatic Locking Mode
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until
the entire belt is extracted.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will
hear a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is
now in the automatic locking mode.
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How to Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt from the
buckle and allow it to retract completely to disengage the
automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode.
Energy Management Feature
This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy
management feature in the front seating positions to help
further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on
collision.
This safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is
designed to release webbing in a controlled manner. This
feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on
the occupant's chest.
WARNING!
²The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced
if the seat belt assembly ªautomatic locking retrac-
torº feature or any other seat belt function is not
working properly when checked according to the
procedures in the Service Manual.
²Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly
could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if so
equipped) is in its lowest position, your authorized
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 store 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.
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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 airbag is mounted in 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.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
1 Ð Driver Airbag
2 Ð Passenger Airbag 52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
The front passenger airbag is also certified to the Federal
regulations that define Occupant Classification (refer to
information on Occupant Classification System in this
section).
This vehicle is equipped with side curtain airbags to
protect the driver and the front and rear passengers
sitting next to a window. They are located above the side
windows. Their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
Window Airbag Location
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WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the front and side
curtain airbag covers or attempt to manually open
them. 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 stack luggage or other cargo up high enough to
block the location of the side curtain airbag. The area
where the side curtain airbag is located should remain
free from any obstructions.
²Do not have any accessory items installed which will
alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to your
vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require permanent
attachments (bolts or screws) for installation on the
vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the vehicle
for any reason.
²Do not cover or place items on the airbag covers. These
items may cause serious injury during inflation.
Along with the seat belts, the front airbags provide
improved protection for the driver and front passenger.
Side Curtain Airbags also work with seat belts to im-
prove occupant protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe collisions. The Side Curtain Airbag will also
trigger on the crash side of the vehicle in moderate to
severe side collisions or on both sides of the vehicle in
rollover collisions. In certain types of collisions, both the
front and side airbags may be triggered. However, even
in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the seat
belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags to
protect you properly.
NOTE:The passenger front airbag may not deploy even
when the driver front airbag has; particularly if the
Occupant Classification System has determined the pas-
senger seat is empty or is occupied by someone that is
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

classified in a category other than that of an adult (refer
to information on Occupant Classification System in this
section). This could be a child, teenager, or even a small
size adult.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in the rear seat.
Infants in rear facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag.
An airbag deployment could cause severe injury or death
to infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle seat
belt properly should be secured in the rear seat in child
restraints or belt-positioning booster seats. Older chil-
dren who do not use child restraints or belt-positioningbooster 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 information on Child Restraint in this
section).
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should use 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. Do not lean against the door or window, 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 ªIf
You Need Assistanceº 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 airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
²The side curtain airbags need room to inflate. Do
not lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE