2009 JEEP COMPASS warning light

NOTE:If you try to remove the key before you place the
shift lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tem-
porarily in the ignition switch cylinder. If this occurs,
rotate the key to the right slightly, then remove the key asdescribed. If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap
the key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this
safety feature is inoperable. The engine can be started
and stopped but the key cannot be removed until you
obtain service.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK 3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — STARTTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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10. To disengage the mini-latch from the mini-buckle for
storage, insert the regular latch plate into the black
button on the top of the mini-buckle. The belt will
automatically retract to its stowed position. If necessary,
slide the latch plate down the webbing to allow the belt
to retract fully. Insert the mini-latch plate into the slot
provided in the trim panel.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belts for both front seating positions are equipped
with pretensioning devices that are designed to automati-
cally remove any slack from the seat belts in the event of
a collision. These devices improve the performance of the
seat belt system by assuring that the belt is tight about the
occupant in a collision. Pretensioners work for all size
occupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC) (refer to information on Airbags
in this section). Like the front airbags, the pretensioners
are single use items. After a collision that is severe
enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners, both
must be replaced.
Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
If the driver’s seat belt has not been buckled within
60 seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed
is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert) will alert the driver to buckle their seat
belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to
buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered,
BeltAlertwill continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt
Warning Light for 96 seconds or until the driver’s seat belt
is buckled. BeltAlertwill be reactivated if the driver’s
seat belt is unbuckled for more than 10 seconds and the
vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

BeltAlertcan be enabled or disabled by your authorized
dealer or by following these steps:
NOTE:The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or START position. Chrysler LLC does not recommend
deactivating the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
buckle the driver or front passenger seat belt.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait
for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn off.
3. Within 60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the
ON position, unbuckle and then re-buckle the driver or
front passenger seat belt at least three times within
10 seconds, ending with the seat belt buckled.
NOTE:Watch for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn on
while unbuckling and 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.
BeltAlertcan be reactivated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:Although BeltAlerthas been deactivated, the
Seat Belt Warning Light will continue to illuminate while
the driver or front passenger seat belt remains
unbuckled.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
WARNING!
•Do not put anything on or around the front 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 inflat-
ing.
•If your vehicle is equipped with side curtain
airbags, 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.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If your vehicle is equipped with side curtain
airbags, 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 drill, cut or tamper with the knee impact
bolster in any way.
•Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact
bolster such as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band
radios etc.
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 side curtain airbags.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Side Remote Acceleration Sensors (if equipped)
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Front Passenger Airbag
•Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags above side win-
dows (if equipped)
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Seat Belt Reminder Light
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How The Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. This ORC will
detect rollover.
•The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee impact bolster, the
instrument panel, and the steering wheel and column.
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.
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•The ORC also turns on the Airbag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for six to eight
seconds as 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 continu-
ously. 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.
•TheDriver and Front Passenger Airbag/Inflator
Unitsare located in the center of the steering wheel
and the passenger side of the instrument panel. When
the ORC detects a collision requiring the airbags, 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 colli-
sion severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover, and
the upper passenger side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way, as the bags inflate to
their full size. The bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70
milliseconds. This is about half of the time that it takes
to blink your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. The
driver’s front airbag gas is vented through vent holes
in the sides of the airbag. The passenger’s front airbag
gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of the
airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
•As 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
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.
•It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have been deployed. If you are involved in
another collision, the airbags will not be in place to
protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags can’t protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment,
with the vehicle stopped, and the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced Acci-
dent Response System performs the following functions:
•Cuts off fuel to the engine.
•Flashes hazard lights.
•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.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, 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.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•The Airbag Warning Light does not come on or flickers
during the six to eight seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the six to eight
second interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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