2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN sensor

mSliding Side Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
▫ Power Sliding Side Door — If Equipped . . . . . 41
▫ Sliding Side Door Child Protection Lock . . . . . 45
m Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
▫ Power Liftgate — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
m Storage Bin Safety Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
▫ Safety Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
m Occupant Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
▫ Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR)
Mode — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
▫ Seat Belt Pretensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 ▫
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlertt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
▫ Seat Belts And Pregnant Women . . . . . . . . . . 62
▫ Seat Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
▫ Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) -
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
▫ Airbag System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
▫ Front Seat Airbag Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
▫ Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls . . . 68
▫ Event Data Recorder (EDR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
▫ Integrated Child Booster Seat — If Equipped . . 76
▫ Integrated Child Seat — If Equipped . . . . . . . 78
▫ Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

When the RKE transmitter button is pressed and the
Flash Lights feature is enabled, the tail lights will flash to
signal that the liftgate is opening or closing.WARNING!
During power operation, personal injury or cargo
damage may occur. Ensure the liftgate travel path is
clear. Make sure the liftgate is closed and latched
before driving away.
NOTE:
If anything obstructs the power liftgate while it is
closing or opening, the liftgate will automatically
reverse to the closed or open position, provided it
meets sufficient resistance.
There are also pinch sensors attached to the side of the
liftgate opening. Light pressure anywhere along these
strips will cause the liftgate to return to the open
position. Rear Power Liftgate Switch
THINGS T O KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49 2

Front Passenger Airbag
Front and Side Impact Sensors
Steering Wheel and Column
Instrument Panel
Seat Belt Reminder Light
Knee Impact Bolster
Front Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioners
Driver Front Seat Track Position Sensor
Supplemental Seat Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC)
(if equipped)
Front Seat 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 car.
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.
Driver 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 results in a very compact driver’s side
airbag.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
Should a vehicle rollover occur, the SABIC curtains on
both sides of the vehicle are deployed.
Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim;
but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
The system includes sensors adjacent to both front and
rear seat occupants that are calibrated to deploy during
an impact severe enough to require airbag occupant
protection. WARNING!
If your vehicle is equipped with left and right Side
Airbag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC), do not stack
luggage or other cargo up high enough to block the
location of the SABIC. The area where the side
curtain airbag is located should remain free from any
obstructions.
Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with seat belts and pretensioners, front airbags work with
the knee bolsters to provide improved protection for the
driver and front passenger. Side airbags also work with
seat belts to improve occupant protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate-to-
severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is equipped, the
side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in
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:
Children 12 years old and younger should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat. Infants in rear-facing child
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Being 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.
Side 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)
The ORC is 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
impact sensors signals, a central electronic ORC deploys
the front airbags, side airbag inflatable curtains, 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 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.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 approxi-
mately 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 startup.
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 Warning Light in your instru-
ment 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.
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.THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
2

Acceleration SensorsAcceleration 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) — If Equipped
The ORC deploys the SABIC during a collision with
other vehicles and during collisions where the impact is
confined to a particular area of the vehicle, such as,
collisions with poles, trees or similar objects. In these
events, the ORC will deploy the SABIC only on the
impact side of the vehicle.
NOTE:
The ORC will also detect and protect for rollover
when equipped with SABIC airbags. In a rollover the
SABIC airbags will deploy on both sides of the vehicle.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing airbag deployment, the
vehicle communication network intact, and the power
intact, the Enhanced Accident Response System performs
the following functions:
Cuts off fuel to the engine.
Flashes hazard lights as long as the battery has power
or until the ignition key is turned off
Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
Unlocks the doors automatically.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 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 Chrysler LLC 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 Chrysler LLC, such
investigations may be requested by customers, insurance
carriers, government 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
Chrysler LLC (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 elec-
tronic data stored, unless ordered to download data by a
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE