2020 Ram 1500 front

SAFETY 249
(Continued)
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether the
driver or front passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat belt
buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the Advanced
Front Air Bags.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust the
inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based upon
seat position.
This vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger Occu-
pant Classification System (“OCS”) that is designed to
provide Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag output appro-
priate to the occupant’s seated weight input, as determined
by the OCS. Front Air Bag Operation
Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional protection
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 substantial
vehicle damage — for example, some pole collisions, truck
underrides, and angle offset collisions.
WARNING!
• No objects should be placed over or near the air bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel because any
such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a colli -
sion severe enough to cause the air bag to inflate.
• Do not put anything on or around the air bag covers or attempt to open them manually. You may damage the
air bags and you could be injured because the air bags
may no longer be functional. The protective 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.
WARNING! (Continued)
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250 SAFETY
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 passenger
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 provide Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag output appropriate to the occupant’s seated
weight, as determined by the OCS.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) consists of the
following:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Occupant Classification Module (OCM) and Sensor
located in the front passenger seat
• Air Bag Warning Light
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) And Sensor
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
underneath the front passenger seat. The Sensor is located
beneath the passenger seat cushion foam. Any weight on the
seat will be sensed by the Sensor. The OCM uses input from
the Sensor to determine the front passenger’s most probable
classification. The OCM communicates this information to
the ORC. The ORC may reduce the inflation rate of the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag deployment based on
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SAFETY 251
occupant classification. In order for the OCS to operate as
designed, it is important for the front passenger to be seated
properly and properly wearing the seat belt.
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 OCS esti-
mates that:
• The front passenger seat is unoccupied or has very light objects on it; or
• The front passenger seat is occupied by a small passenger, including a child; or
• The front passenger seat is occupied by a rear-facing child restraint; or
• The front passenger is not properly seated or his or her weight is taken off of the seat for a period of time. * It is possible for a child to be classified as an adult, allowing
a full-power Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag deploy
-
ment. Never allow children to ride in the front passenger seat
and never install a child restraint system, including a
rear-facing child restraint, in the front passenger seat.
Front Passenger Seat Occupant Status Front Passenger Air Bag
Output
Rear-facing child restraint Reduced-power
deployment
Child, including a child in a
forward-facing child restraint
or booster seat* Reduced-power
deployment OR Full-power
deployment
Properly seated adult
Full-power deployment OR
reduced-power deployment
Unoccupied seat Reduced-power
deployment
WARNING!
• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of an air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can cause
death or serious injury to a child 12 years or younger,
including a child in a rear-facing child restraint.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing child restraint
in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat,
do not transport a rear-facing child restraint in that
vehicle.
• Children 12 years or younger should always ride buckled up in the rear seat of a vehicle with a rear seat.Front Passenger Seat
Occupant Status Front Passenger Air Bag
Output
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252 SAFETY
The OCS determines the front passenger’s most probable
classification. The OCS estimates the seated weight on the
front passenger seat and where that weight is located. The
OCS communicates the classification status to the ORC. The
ORC uses the classification to determine whether the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag inflation rate should be
adjusted.
In order for the OCS to operate as designed, it is important
for the front passenger to be seated properly and properly
wearing the seat belt. Properly seated passengers are:
• Sitting upright
• Facing forward
• Sitting in the center of the seat with their feet comfortablyon or near the floor
• Sitting with their back against the seatback and the seat -
back in an upright position Seated Properly
Lighter Weight Passengers (Including Small Adults)
When a lighter weight passenger, including a small adult,
occupies the front passenger seat, the OCS may reduce the
inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag. This
does not mean that the OCS is working improperly.
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SAFETY 253
Do not decrease OR increase the front passenger’s seated
weight on the front passenger seat
The front passenger’s seated weight must be properly posi-
tioned on the front passenger seat. Failure to do so may
result in serious injury or death. The OCS determines the
most probable classification of the occupant that it detects.
The OCS will detect the front passenger’s decreased or
increased seated weight, which may result in an adjusted
inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag in a
collision. This does not mean that the OCS is working
improperly. Decreasing the front passenger’s seated weight
on the front passenger seat may result in a reduced-power
deployment of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag.
Increasing the front passenger’s seated weight on the front
passenger seat may result in a full-power deployment of the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag. Examples of improper front passenger seating include:
• The front passenger’s weight is transferred to another part
of the vehicle (like the door, arm rest or instrument panel).
• The front passenger leans forward, sideways, or turns to face the rear of the vehicle.
• The front passenger’s seatback is not in the full upright position.
• The front passenger carries or holds an object while seated (e.g., backpack, box, etc.).
• Objects are lodged under the front passenger seat.
• Objects are lodged between the front passenger seat and center console.
• Accessories that may change the seated weight on the front passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
• Anything that may decrease or increase the front passenger’s seated weight.
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254 SAFETY
The OCS determines the front passenger’s most probable
classification. If an occupant in the front passenger seat is
seated improperly, the occupant may provide an output
signal to the OCS that is different from the occupant’s prop-
erly seated weight input, for example:
Not Seated Properly Not Seated Properly
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256 SAFETY
The Air Bag Warning Light in the instrument panel 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 Light does 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 immedi-
ately.
The passenger seat assembly contains critical OCS compo -
nents that may affect the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
inflation. In order for the OCS to properly classify the seated
weight of 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 for any
reason, take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. Only FCA
US LLC approved seat accessories may be used.
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 cush -
ions not designated by FCA US LLC for the specific model
being repaired. Always use the correct seat cover and
cushion specified for the vehicle.WARNING!
• If a child restraint system, child, small teenager or adult in the front passenger seat is seated improperly, the
occupant may provide an output signal to the OCS that
is different from the occupant’s properly seated weight
input. This may result in serious injury or death in a
collision.
• Always wear your seat belt and sit properly, with the seatback in an upright position, your back against the
seatback, 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 provide an output signal to the OCS that
is different than the occupant’s properly seated weight
input, which may result in serious injury or death in a
collision.
• Placing an object on the floor under the front passenger seat may prevent the OCS from working properly,
which may result in serious injury or death in a colli -
sion. Do not place any objects on the floor under the
front passenger seat.
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SAFETY 257
• Do not replace the seat cover or cushion with an after-
market 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 FCA US LLC.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the driver
and front passenger, and position the front occupants for
improved interaction with the front air bags. Supplemental Side Air Bags
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SABs)
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Seat-Mounted
Side Air Bags (SABs).
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SABs) are
located in the outboard side of the front seats. The SABs are
marked with “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” on a label or on
the seat trim on the outboard side of the seats.
The SABs may help to reduce the risk of occupant injury
during certain side impacts, in addition to the injury reduc
-
tion potential provided by the seat belts and body structure.
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).
• If it is necessary to modify the air bag system for persons with disabilities, contact an authorized dealer.
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.
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