2009 JEEP LIBERTY steering

Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags
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.
1 — Driver Airbag
2 — Passenger AirbagTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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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.
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 theCustomer Center. Phone numbers are provided under “If
You Need Assistance” in Section 9 of this manual.
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.
•The side curtain airbags need room to inflate. Do
not lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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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 ORC also 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
items listed above except the Passenger Airbag Disable
(PAD) Indicator Light, 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 they will not inflate.
•The ORC also turns on the “Airbag Warning
Light” and “PAD Indicator Light” for six to
eight seconds as a self-check when the igni-
tion is first turned ON. After the self-check,
the “Airbag Warning Light” will turn off. The “PAD
Indicator Light” will function normally (refer to infor-
mation on Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator
Light in this section). 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.
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
Occupant Classification System (OCS) is part of
a Federally regulated safety system required for this
vehicle. It is designed to turn off the front passenger
airbag for an empty seat and for occupants classified
in a category other than that of an adult. This could be
a child, teenager, or even a small size adult.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
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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
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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 if the airbag system is 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 or vehicle body
structure.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your ad-
vanced airbag system. The airbag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if modi-
fications are made. Take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for any advanced airbag system ser-
vice. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of seat attach-
ment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accesso-
ries may be used. If it is necessary to modify an
advanced airbag system for persons with disabili-
ties, contact your authorized dealer.(Continued)
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83
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▫Headlights With Wipers (Available With
Auto Headlights Only) ................ 143
▫ Headlight Time Delay — If Equipped ...... 144
▫ Daytime Running Lights (DRL) — If
Equipped .......................... 144
▫ Lights-On Reminder .................. 145
▫ Fog Lights — If Equipped .............. 145
▫ Turn Signals ........................ 146
▫ High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 147
▫ Flash-To-Pass ....................... 147
▫ Interior Lights ...................... 147
 Windshield Wipers And Washers .......... 149
▫ Intermittent Wiper System .............. 150
▫ Mist Feature ........................ 151 ▫
Headlights With Wipers (Available With
Auto Headlights Only) ................ 152
▫ Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped ....... 152
▫ Windshield Washers .................. 154
 Tilt Steering Column ................... 154
 Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ..... 155
▫ To Activate ......................... 156
▫ To Set a Desired Speed ................ 156
▫ To Deactivate ....................... 157
▫ To Resume Speed .................... 157
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting .............. 157
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .............. 158
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
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