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underrides, and angle offset collisions. On the other hand,
depending on the type and location of impact, Advanced
Front Air Bags and Supplemental Driver and Front Passen-
ger Knee Air Bags may deploy in crashes with little vehicle
front-end damage but that produce a severe initial decelera-
tion.
The side air bags will not deploy in all side collisions.
Side air bag deployment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all colli-
sions, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the air bag system whenever the ignition is in the START
or ON/RUN position. If the ignition is in the OFF
position or in the ACC position, the air bag system is not
on and the air bags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
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It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front
Passenger Seat
The OCS is part of a Federally regulated safety system for
this vehicle.The Occupant Classification System (OCS) consists of the
following:
•
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Occupant Classification Module (OCM) located in the
front passenger seat
• OCS Sensor located in the front passenger seat
• Air Bag Warning Light
The OCS will NOT prevent deployment of the passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag. The OCS may reduce the
inflation rate of the passenger Advanced Front Air Bag if
the sensors estimate that:
•The front passenger seat is unoccupied or has very
light objects in it; or
• The front passenger seat is occupied by a small pas-
senger, including a child; or
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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•The front passenger seat is occupied by a rearward
facing infant seat; or
• The front passenger is not properly seated or his or her
weight is taken off of the seat for a period of time.
Front Passenger Seat
Occupant Status Front Passenger Air
Bag Classification
Rearward-facing infant seat* Reduced-power
deployment
Child, including a child in a forward-facing child
restraint or booster seat* Full-power deployment
OR reduced-power deployment
Properly seated adult Full-power deployment OR reduced-powerdeployment
Unoccupied seat Reduced-power deployment* It is possible for a child to be classified as an adult,
allowing a full-power front passenger air bag deploy-
ment. Never allow children to ride in the front passenger
seat and never install a child restraint system, including
a rearward-facing infant seat, in the front passenger seat.WARNING!
•
Never place a rear facing infant seat in front of an
air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced Front Air
Bag can cause death or serious injury to a child 12
years or younger, including a child in a rearward
facing infant seat.
• Children 12 years or younger should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child
restraint.
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WARNING!
Occupants in the front passenger seat sitting improp-
erly may cause the OCS to not classify the passen-
ger ’s weight accurately. This may result in serious
injury or death in a collision. Always wear your seat
belt and sit properly, with the seat back in an upright
position, your back against the seat back, sitting
upright, facing forward, in the center of the seat, with
your feet comfortably on or near the floor. Do not
carry or hold any objects (e.g., backpacks, boxes, etc.)
while seated in the front passenger seat. Holding an
object may cause the OCS to not classify the passen-
ger ’s weight accurately, which may result in serious
injury or death in a collision.The OCS may not classify the front passenger properly if:
•
The front passenger ’s weight is transferred to another
part of the vehicle (like the door, arm rest or instru-
ment panel)
• The front passenger leans forward, sideways or turns
around
• The front passenger seatback is not in the full upright
position
• The front passenger carries or holds an object while
seated (e.g., backpack, box, etc.)
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
Placing an object on the floor under the front pas-
senger seat may prevent the OCS from working
properly, which may result in serious injury or death
in a collision. Do not place any objects on the floor
under the front passenger.
The Air Bag Warning Light
will turn on whenever
the OCS is unable to classify the front passenger seat
status. A malfunction in the OCS may affect the
operation of the air bag system.
If the Air Bag Warning Lightdoes not come on, or
stays on after you start the vehicle, or it comes on as
you drive, take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service immediately.Not Seated Properly
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The front passenger seat is equipped with Flip ’n Stow™
Front Passenger Seat Storage (refer to “Understanding
The Features Of Your Vehicle” for additional informa-
tion). Make sure that objects inside the Flip ’n Stow™
Front Passenger Seat Storage bin do not interfere with the
latch before closing the seat. In addition, after closing the
Front Passenger Seat Storage bin make sure the front
passenger seat cushion is pushed downward and fully
latched to the base. Over-stuffing the storage bin may
result in misclassification of the front passenger ’s weight.
The passenger seat assembly contains critical compo-
nents that may affect front passenger Advanced Air Bag
inflation. In order for the OCS to properly classify a front
seat passenger, the OCS components must function as
designed. Do not make any modifications to the front
passenger seat components, assembly, or to the seat
cover. If the seat, trim cover, or cushion needs service forany reason, take the vehicle to your authorized dealer.
Only Chrysler Group LLC approved seat accessories may
be used.
WARNING!
Make sure that objects inside the Flip ’n Stow™
Front Passenger Seat Storage bin do not interfere
with the latch before closing the seat. In addition,
after closing the Front Passenger Seat Storage bin,
make sure the front passenger seat cushion is pushed
downward and fully latched to the base. Overstuff-
ing the storage bin, or a not fully latched passenger
seat cushion, may result in misclassification of the
front passenger ’s weight. This may result in serious
injury or death in a collision.
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The following requirements must be strictly followed:
•Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
• Do not use prior or future model year seat covers or
cushions not designated by Chrysler Group LLC for
the specific model being repaired. Always use the
correct seat cover and cushion specified for the vehicle.
• Do not replace the seat cover or cushion with an
aftermarket seat cover or cushion.
• Do not add a secondary seat cover or mat.
• At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fastener
be modified or replaced with any part except those
which are approved by Chrysler Group LLC .WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the passenger seat assembly, its related components,
seat cover or cushion may inadvertently change the
air bag deployment in case of a frontal collision. This
could result in death or serious injury to the front
passenger if the vehicle is involved in a collision. A
modified vehicle may not comply with required
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
and/or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(CMVSS).
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If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•The nylon air bag material may sometimes cause
abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the non-toxic gas used for air
bag 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 in-
structions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have de-
ployed. If you are involved in another collision, the air
bags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the air bags,
seat belt pretensioners, and the front seat belt retrac-
tor assemblies replaced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately. Also, have the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC) system serviced as well.
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