Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Front Passenger Airbag
•Side Curtain Airbags above Side Windows
•Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner and Retractor
— If Equipped
•Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front Pas-
senger Seat Only
Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
Weight Sensors
How the Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe enough
to require the airbags to inflate. The front airbag
inflators are designed to provide different rates of
airbag inflation from direction provided by the ORC.
The ORC may also modify the rate of inflation based
on the occupant size. The ORC receives this data from
the Occupant Classification Module (OCM). The ORC
will detect rollovers, but not rear impacts.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The “PAD Indicator Light” should not be illuminated
when an adult passenger is properly seated in the
front passenger seat. In this case, the airbag is ready to
be inflated if a collision requiring an airbag occurs. For
all other occupants, the “PAD Indicator Light” will be
illuminated indicating that the front passenger airbag
is turned off and it will not inflate. If the “PAD
Indicator Light” is not illuminated,DO NOTassume
the airbag is turned off and move the child restraint to
the rear seat. A deploying passenger airbag can cause
death or serious injury to a child in a rear facing infant
seat.
NOTE: Even though this vehicle is equipped with an
Occupant Classification System, children 12 years and
younger should always ride buckled up in a rear seat in
an appropriate child restraint.
Front Passenger Seat Occupant Passenger Air-
bag Disable
(PAD) Indicator Light Airbag Status
Adult OFF ON
Grocery Bags, Heavy Brief-
cases, and Other Relatively Light Objects ON OFF
Empty or Very Small Objects OFF* OFF
* Since the system senses weight, some small objects will turn the PAD Indicator Light on.
The OCS classifies an occupant using weight sensors
mounted in the base of the front passenger seat. Any
weight on the seat will be sensed by the system. Objects
hanging on the seat or other passengers pushing down
on the seat will also be sensed. The weight of an adult
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2
will cause the system to turn the airbag on. In this case,
the OCS has classified the occupant of the seat as an
adult. An adult occupant needs to sit in a normal position
(with their feet on or near the floor) in order to be
properly classified. Reclining the seat back too far may
change how an occupant is classified by the OCS.
Drivers and adult passengers should verify that the
“PAD Indicator Light” is not illuminated when an adult
is riding in the front passenger seat. If an adult occu-
pant’s weight is transferred to another part of the vehicle
(like the door or instrument panel), the weight sensors in
the seat may not properly classify the occupant. Objects
lodged under the seat or between the seat and the center
console can prevent the occupant’s weight from being
measured properly and may result in the occupant being
improperly classified. Ensure that the front passenger
seatback does not touch anything placed on the back seatbecause this can also affect occupant classification. Also,
if you fold down the rear seat check to be sure it doesn’t
touch the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the “Airbag Warning
Light” (a red light located in the center of the instrument
cluster directly in front of the driver) will be turned on.
This indicates that you should take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer. The “Airbag Warning Light” is turned
on whenever there is a fault that can affect the operation
of the airbag system. If there is a fault present in the OCS,
both the “PAD Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning
Light” are illuminated to show that the passenger airbag
is turned off until the fault is cleared. If an object is
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
lodged under the seat and interferes with operation of
the weight sensors, a fault will occur which turns on both
the “PAD Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning
Light.” Once the lodged object is removed, the fault will
be automatically cleared after a short period of time.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units are
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 non-toxic gas is
generated to inflate the front airbags. Different airbag
inflation rates are possible, based on collision severity
and occupant size. 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 the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger’s front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.•The
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC). The ORC uses the occupant category to
determine whether the front passenger airbag should
be turned off. It also determines the rate of airbag
inflation during a collision.
•Your vehicle has four Weight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
2
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 beused 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 electronic
data stored, unless ordered to download data by a court
with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant). A copy
of the data will be provided to the custodial entity upon
request. General data that does not identify particular
vehicles or crashes may be released for incorporation in
aggregate crash databases, such as those maintained by
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
2
•Use of Rain-Xor products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.
•The rain-sensing feature can be turned on and off
through the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) — if equipped. For details, refer to “Personal
Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)” under
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
Section 4 of this manual.
The rain-sensing system has protective features for the
wiper blades and arms. It will not operate under the
following conditions:
•Low Temperature Wipe Inhibit — The rain-sensing
feature will not operate when the ignition is first
switched ON, the vehicle is stationary, and the outside
temperature is below 32° F (0° C). If the wiper control
is moved, the vehicle speed becomes greater than 0 mph (0 km/h), or the outside temperature rises
above freezing the rain-sensing feature will then op-
erate.
•Neutral Wipe Inhibit
— The rain-sensing feature will
not operate when the ignition is ON, and the shift
lever is in the NEUTRAL position, and the vehicle
speed is less than 5 mph (8 km/h), unless the wiper
control is moved or the shift lever is moved out of the
NEUTRAL position.
•Remote Start Wipe Inhibit (Vehicles Equipped with
Remote Start System) — The rain-sensing feature will
not operate when the vehicle is in remote start mode.
This feature will return to normal operation once
remote start mode is exited. Refer to “Remote Start
System” in Section 2 of this manual for information on
remote start operation.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3
System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the rear bumper is free of dirt and debris
to keep the Rear Park Assist System operating prop-
erly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of the Rear Park Assist System.
•When you turn off the Rear Park Assist System, the
instrument cluster will display “PARK ASSIST DIS-
ABLED.” Furthermore, once you turn off the Rear
Park Assist System, it remains off until you turn it on
again, even if you cycle the ignition key.
•When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and the Rear Park Assist System is turned off,
a single chime will sound once per ignition cycle and
the instrument cluster will display “PARK ASSIST
DISABLED.”
•The Rear Park Assist System, when on, will MUTE the
radio when it is sounding a tone.
•If a Rear Park Assist System malfunction occurs, a
single chime will sound once per ignition cycle. In
addition, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) will display “SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYS-
TEM” and the LED in the Rear Park Assist switch will
illuminate. If this occurs, see your authorized dealer
for service.
CAUTION!
•The Rear Park Assist System is only a parking aid
and it is unable to recognize every obstacle, in-
cluding small obstacles. Parking curbs might be
temporarily detected or not detected at all. Ob-
stacles located above or below the sensors will not
be detected when they are in close proximity.(Continued)
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 159
3
CAUTION! (Continued)
•The vehicle must be driven slowly when using the
Rear Park Assist System to be able to stop in time
when the obstacle is detected. It is recommended
that the driver looks over his/her shoulder when
using the Rear Park Assist System.
•Clean the Rear Park Assist Sensors with water, car
wash soap, and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or
hard cloths. Do not scratch or poke the sensors.
Otherwise, you could damage the sensors.
WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using the Rear Park Assist System. Always
check carefully behind your vehicle, look behind
you, and be sure to check for pedestrians, animals,
other vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots be-
fore backing up. You are responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your surround-
ings. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.(Continued)
160 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE