2009 DODGE JOURNEY instrument panel

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................83
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 199
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 303
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................393
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 415
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 477
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................485
10INDEX....................................................................495
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WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owners Manual containsWARNINGSagainst op-
erating procedures that could result in an accident or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONSagainst proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire Owners Manual, you may miss
important information. Observe all Warnings and Cau-
tions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is on the left
front corner of the instrument panel and is visible from
outside of the vehicle through the windshield. This
number also appears on the Automobile Information
Disclosure Label affixed to a window on your vehicle, the
vehicle registration, and the title. NOTE:
It is illegal to remove the VIN.
VIN Location
6 INTRODUCTION

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.
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 seat
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 front 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 center of
the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag is
mounted in the top of the instrument panel. The words
SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Do 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. Do 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.
• Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the supplemental front seat
mounted side airbags; the performance could be
adversely affected and/or objects could be pushed
into you, causing serious injury.
• Do not attach cupholders or any other objects on or
around the door. The inflating supplemental front
seat mounted side airbags could drive the object into
occupants, causing serious injury.
NOTE: Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat
hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the
proper performance of the curtain airbags.
Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved
protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain
and seat airbags also work with seat belts to improve
occupant protection.
While the seat belts are designed to protect you in many
types of collisions, the front airbags will deploy in
moderate to severe frontal collisions. The supplemental
side curtain airbag and supplemental front seat mounted
side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle will also
trigger in moderate to severe side collisions. However,
even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the
seat belts to keep you in the correct position for the
airbags to protect you properly.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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8. Do not lean against the door, as the supplemental side
curtain airbags and supplemental front seat mounted
side airbags will inflate forcefully into the space between
you and the door.
9. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided in theIf
You Need Customer Assistance section.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 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.
•Supplemental side curtain airbags and supple-
mental front seat mounted side airbags also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
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Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Side Remote Pressure and Acceleration Sensors
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Front Passenger Airbag
•Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags
•Supplemental Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Seat Belt Reminder Light
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Front Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioners
•Front Seat Track Position Sensors
How the Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. If airbags are required, the ORC
determines the necessary rate of airbag inflation for
that event.
•The ORC determines if a side impact is severe enough
to deploy the supplemental side curtain airbag and
supplemental front seat mounted side airbag.
•The ORC detects rollover.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•The ORC and other systems monitor the readiness of
the electronic components whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or ON position. These include
all of the items listed above except the knee impact
bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering wheel
and column. Furthermore, the airbag system is not
active if the key is in the LOCK position, the ACC
position, or not in the ignition.
•The ORC commands Airbag Warning Light
operation. The Airbag Warning Light in the
instrument panel turns on for four to six
seconds as a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the light will turn
off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, the light will turn on until the malfunction is
corrected. A single chime will sound if the light comes
on again after initial start-up.
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.
•The Driver and Front Passenger Airbag/Inflator
Units are located in the center of the steering wheel
and the passenger’s side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the air-
bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the front airbags.
Different airbag inflation rates may be possible based
on collision severity. The steering wheel hub trim
cover and the upper passenger’s side of the instrument
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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•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.
NOTE: The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are 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 passenger’s side of the instrument panel.
Do not modify the front bumper, vehicle body
structure, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•It 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 airbags.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE