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WARNING!(Continued)
covers for the air bag cushions are designed to open
only when the air bags are inflating.
• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work with
your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some
collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all. Always wear
your seat belts even though you have air bags.
Front Air Bag Operation
Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional protec-
tion by supplementing the seat belts. Front air bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, side, or
rollover collisions. The front air bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, including some that may produce sub-
stantial vehicle damage — for example, some pole colli-
sions, truck underrides, and angle offset collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and location of
impact, front air bags may deploy in crashes with little
vehicle front-end damage but that produce a severe initial
deceleration.
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 collisions,
and also are needed to help keep you in position, away
from an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the front air
bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the front air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side
of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way as
the air bags inflate to their full size. The front air bags fully
inflate in less time than it takes to blink your eyes. The
front air bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger.
Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front
Passenger Seat
The OCS is part of a Federally regulated safety system for
this vehicle. It is designed to activate or deactivate the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag depending on the
occupant’s seated weight. It is designed to deactivate the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag for an unoccupied seat
and for occupants whose seated weight classifies them in a
category other than a properly seated adult. This could be
a child, teenager, or even an adult.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 190 of 329

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ..............210
▫ Tire Markings ........................ .210
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............213
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ...........214
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ............215
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........220
▫ Tire Pressure ......................... .220
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ..................221
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation .....222
▫ Radial Ply Tires ....................... .222
▫ Tire Types ........................... .223
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ..............223
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................224
▫ Tire Spinning ........................ .226
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ...................226
▫ Life Of Tire .......................... .227
▫ Replacement Tires ..................... .227
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .........228
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS ......229
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..................229
▫ Treadwear ........................... .230
▫ Traction Grades ....................... .230
▫ Temperature Grades .....................230
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . . .231
▫ Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings ............................ .233
▫ Service TPMS Warning ...................233
▫ TPMS
Deactivation — If Equipped ...........234
▫ General Information .....................234
FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................235
▫ 8.4L Engine .......................... .235
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ..................235
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ...............235
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .........236
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 281 of 329

Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is normally
a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity
accumulating on the radiator and being vaporized when
the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine coolant (anti-
freeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
• Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze)
needs to be added, the contents of the coolant expansion
bottle must also be protected against freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
•
Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of your
engine which contains aluminum components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install ONLY
the correct type thermostat. Other designs may result in
unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
To ensure brake system performance, all brake system com-
ponents should be inspected periodically. Refer to “Mainte-
nance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possi-
bly an accident. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 279