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.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and front passenger, and position the front occu-
pants for improved interaction with the front air bags.
WARNING!
•
Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact
bolsters in any way.
• Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact
bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the
internal circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with electrical Air Bag System Components listed below:
Air Bag System Components
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
•Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors — If Equipped
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately after
deployment. NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with the
air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:
• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions
and/or skin reddening to the occupants 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 instructions for
cleaning.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have deployed.
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 seat belt retractor assem-
blies replaced by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller System
serviced as well.
NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim,
but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communication network
remains intact, and the power remains intact, depending
on the nature of the event, the ORC will determine whether
to have the Enhanced Accident Response System perform
the following functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or
until the hazard light button is pressed. The hazard
lights can be deactivated by pressing the hazard light
button.
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power.
• Unlock the power door locks.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag Warning Lightwill turn on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is first
placed in the ON/RUN position. If the light is either not
on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving,
have the system inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible. This light will illuminate with a single
chime when a fault with the Air Bag Warning Light has
been detected, it will stay on until the fault is cleared. If
the light comes on intermittently or remains on while
driving, have an authorized dealer service the vehicle
immediately. Refer to “Occupant Restraints” for further
information.
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 inoper-
able.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals or
impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or stacked
floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners may cause
your floor mat to interfere with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle control. To
prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
• ALWAYS securely attach
your floor mat using
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your floor
mat upside down or turn your floor mat over.
Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured using the
floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.
• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR MAT
FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any
other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an addi-
tional floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
(Continued)
96 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!(Continued)
•ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your vehicle.
NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be properly
attached and secured to your vehicle. If a floor mat
needs to be replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year of your
vehicle.
• ONLY use the driver ’s side floor mat on the driver ’s
side floor area. To check for interference, with the
vehicle properly parked with the engine off, fully
depress the accelerator, the brake, and the clutch
pedal (if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of any pedal,
or is not secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat in your
trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger ’s side floor mat on the
passenger ’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide into
the driver ’s side floor area when the vehicle is
moving. Objects can become trapped under accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals and could cause a loss of
vehicle control.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•NEVER place any objects under the floor mat (e.g.,
towels, keys, etc.). These objects could change the
position of the floor mat and may cause interference
with the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-
installed, always properly attach carpet to the floor
and check the floor mat fasteners are secure to the
vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to check for
interference with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals then re-install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap and water
to clean your floor mats. After cleaning, always check
your floor mat has been properly installed and is
secured to your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 97
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 objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper 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 (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
98 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
DRIVER MEMORY SEAT — IF EQUIPPED .....132
▫ Programming The Memory Feature ..........133
▫ Linking And Unlinking The Remote Keyless
Entry Key Fob To Memory ................133
▫ Memory Position Recall ..................134
▫ Easy Entry/Exit Seat ....................135
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD ..........136
LIGHTS ............................. .138
▫ Headlights .......................... .139
▫ Automatic Headlights — If Equipped ........139
▫ Headlights On With Wipers (Available With
Automatic Headlights Only) ...............140
▫ Daytime Running Lights (DRL) —
If Equipped ......................... .140
▫ Headlight Delay ....................... .140
▫ Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control —
If Equipped ......................... .141
▫ Parking Lights And Panel Lights ............142▫
Fog Lights — If Equipped ................142
▫ Lights-On Reminder .....................143
▫ Battery Saver ......................... .143
▫ Interior Lights ........................ .143
▫ Cargo Light With Bed Lights — If Equipped . . .146
▫ Multifunction Lever ....................146
▫ Turn Signals ......................... .146
▫ Lane Change Assist .....................147
▫ Flash-To-Pass ........................ .147
▫ High/Low Beam Switch .................147
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS .......148
▫ W
indshield Wipers .....................148
▫ Windshield Wiper Operation ...............148
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ................148
▫ Windshield Washers ....................148
▫ Mist Feature ......................... .149
▫ Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped .........149
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
TILT STEERING COLUMN .................150
HEATED STEERING WHEEL —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .151
DRIVER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .152
SPEED CONTROL ...................... .154
▫ To Activate .......................... .154
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ...................155
▫ To Deactivate ........................ .155
▫ To Resume Speed ..................... .155
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ................155
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................155
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .156
▫ ParkSense Sensors ..................... .156
▫ ParkSense Warning Display ................157
▫ ParkSense Display ..................... .157
▫ Enabling And Disabling ParkSense ..........160▫
Service The ParkSense Rear Park
Assist System ......................... .161
▫ Cleaning The ParkSense System .............161
▫ ParkSense System Usage Precautions .........162
PARKSENSE FRONT AND REAR PARK
ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED ..................163
▫ ParkSense Sensors ..................... .164
▫ ParkSense Warning Display ................164
▫ ParkSense Display ..................... .165
▫ Enabling And Disabling Front And/Or Rear
ParkSense ........................... .167
▫ Service The ParkSense Park Assist System .....168
▫ Cleaning
The ParkSense System .............169
▫ ParkSense System Usage Precautions .........169
PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .171
OVERHEAD CONSOLE — IF EQUIPPED ......173
▫ Courtesy/Reading Lights .................174
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 101