Dodge Grand Caravan (2020 year). Manual in english — page 9

SAFETY

135

When the SAB deploys, it opens the seam on

the outboard side of the seatback’s trim cover.

The inflating SAB deploys through the seat

seam into the space between the occupant and

the door. The SAB moves at a very high speed

and with such a high force that it could injure

occupants if they are not seated properly, or if

items are positioned in the area where the SAB

inflates. Children are at an even greater risk of

injury from a deploying air bag.

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains

(SABICs)
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental

Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABICs).
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains

(SABICs) are located above the side windows.

The trim covering the SABICs is labeled “SRS

AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG.”

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC)

Label Location

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and

other injuries to front and rear seat outboard

occupants in certain side impacts, in addition to

the injury reduction potential provided by the

seat belts and body structure.
The SABIC deploys downward, covering the side

windows. An inflating SABIC pushes the outside

edge of the headliner out of the way and covers

the window. The SABICs inflate with enough

force to injure occupants if they are not belted

and seated properly, or if items are positioned

in the area where the SABICs inflate. Children

are at an even greater risk of injury from a

deploying air bag.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial

or complete ejection of vehicle occupants

through side windows in certain side impact

events.

WARNING!

Do not use accessory seat covers or place

objects between you and the Side Air Bags;

the performance could be adversely affected

and/or objects could be pushed into you,

causing serious injury.

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SAFETY

Side Impacts
The Side Air Bags are designed to activate in

certain side impacts. The Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC) determines whether the

deployment of the Side Air Bags in a particular

impact event is appropriate, based on the

severity and type of collision. The side impact

sensors aid the ORC in determining the

appropriate response to impact events.

The system is calibrated to deploy the Side Air

Bags on the impact side of the vehicle during

impacts that require Side Air Bag occupant

protection. In side impacts, the Side Air Bags

deploy independently; a left side impact deploys

the left Side Air Bags only and a right-side

impact deploys the right Side Air Bags only.

Vehicle damage by itself is not a good indicator

of whether or not Side Air Bags should have

deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side

collisions, including some collisions at certain

angles, or some side collisions that do not

impact the area of the passenger compartment.

The Side Air Bags may deploy during angled or

offset frontal collisions where the front air bags

deploy.
Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt

restraint system. Side Air Bags deploy in less

time than it takes to blink your eyes.

WARNING!



Do not mount equipment, or stack luggage

or other cargo up high enough to block the

deployment of the SABICs. The trim

covering above the side windows where the

SABIC and its deployment path are located

should remain free from any obstructions.



In order for the SABICs to work as intended,

do not install any accessory items in your

vehicle which could alter the roof. Do not

add an aftermarket sunroof to your vehicle.

Do not add roof racks that require perma

-

nent attachments (bolts or screws) for

installation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill

into the roof of the vehicle for any reason.

WARNING!



Occupants, including children, who are up

against or very close to Side Air Bags can be

seriously injured or killed. Occupants,

including children, should never lean on or

sleep against the door, side windows, or

area where the side air bags inflate, even if

they are in an infant or child restraint.



Seat belts (and child restraints where

appropriate) are necessary for your protec

-

tion in all collisions. They also help keep

you in position, away from an inflating Side

Air Bag. To get the best protection from the

Side Air Bags, occupants must wear their

seat belts properly and sit upright with their

backs against the seats. Children must be

properly restrained in a child restraint or

booster seat that is appropriate for the size

of the child.

SAFETY

137

NOTE:

Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open during air bag

deployment.

Rollover Events
Side Air Bags and seat belt pretensioners are

designed to activate in certain rollover events.

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

determines whether deployment in a particular

rollover event is appropriate, based on the

severity and type of collision. Vehicle damage by

itself is not a good indicator of whether or not

Side Air Bags and seat belt pretensioners

should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags and seat belt pretensioners

will not deploy in all rollover events. The rollover

sensing system determines if a rollover event

may be in progress and whether deployment is

appropriate. In the event the vehicle

experiences a rollover or near rollover event,

and deployment is appropriate, the rollover

sensing system will deploy the side air bags and

seat belt pretensioners on both sides of the

vehicle.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial

or complete ejection of vehicle occupants

through side windows in certain rollover or side

impact events.

Air Bag System Components

NOTE:

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

monitors the internal circuits and intercon

-

necting wiring associated with electrical Air Bag

System Components listed below:



Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)



Air Bag Warning Light



Steering Wheel and Column



Instrument Panel



Knee Impact Bolsters



Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags



Seat Belt Buckle Switch



Supplemental Side Air Bags



Supplemental Knee Air Bags



Front and Side Impact Sensors



Seat Belt Pretensioners



Seat Track Position Sensors

WARNING!



Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not

lean against the door or window. Sit upright

in the center of the seat.



Being too close to the Side Air Bags during

deployment could cause you to be severely

injured or killed.



Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could

lead to more severe injuries in a collision.

The Side Air Bags work with your seat belt

to restrain you properly. In some collisions,

Side Air Bags won’t deploy at all. Always

wear your seat belt even though you have

Side Air Bags.

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SAFETY

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 occu

-

pants 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 perma

-

nent 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 gener

-

ates the non-toxic gas used for air bag infla

-

tion. 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.

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.

NOTE:



Air bag covers may not be obvious in the inte

-

rior 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 (if equipped)



Cut off battery power to the electric motor (if

equipped)



Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has

power



Turn on the interior lights, which remain on

as long as the battery has power or for

15 minutes from the intervention of the

Enhanced Accident Response System



Unlock the power door locks

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

assemblies replaced by an authorized dealer

immediately. Also, have the Occupant

Restraint Controller System serviced as well.

SAFETY

139

(Continued)

Your vehicle may also be designed to perform

any of these other functions in response to the

Enhanced Accident Response System:



Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the

HVAC Blower Motor, Close the HVAC Circula

-

tion Door



Cut off battery power to the:



Engine



Electric Motor (if equipped)



Electric power steering



Brake booster



Electric park brake



Automatic transmission gear selector



Horn



Front wiper



Headlamp washer pump

NOTE:

After an accident, remember to cycle the

ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position and

remove the key from the ignition switch to avoid

draining the battery. Carefully check the vehicle

for fuel leaks in the engine compartment and on

the ground near the engine compartment and

fuel tank before resetting the system and

starting the engine. If there are no fuel leaks or

damage to the vehicle electrical devices (e.g.

headlights) after an accident, reset the system

by following the procedure described below. If

you have any doubt, contact an authorized

dealer.

Enhanced Accident Response System Reset

Procedure

In order to reset the Enhanced Accident

Response System functions after an event, the

ignition switch must be changed from ignition

START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF. Carefully

check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine

compartment and on the ground near the

engine compartment and fuel tank before

resetting the system and starting the engine.

Maintaining Your Air Bag System

WARNING!



Modifications to any part of the air bag

system could cause it to fail when you need

it. You could be injured if the air bag 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, vehicle body

structure, or add aftermarket side steps or

running boards.



It is dangerous to try to repair any part of

the air bag system yourself. Be sure to tell

anyone who works on your vehicle that it

has an air bag system.

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SAFETY

Event Data Recorder (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an event data

recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is

to record, in certain crash or near crash-like

situations, such as an air bag deployment or

hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in

understanding how a vehicle’s systems

performed.

The EDR is designed to record data related to

vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short

period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The

EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such

data as:



How various systems in your vehicle were

operating;



Whether or not the driver and passenger

safety belts were buckled/fastened;



How far (if at all) the driver was depressing

the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,



How fast the vehicle was traveling.

These data can help provide a better

understanding of the circumstances in which

crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE:

EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are

recorded by the EDR under normal driving

conditions and no personal data (e.g., name,

gender, age, and crash location) are recorded.

However, other parties, such as law

enforcement, could combine the EDR data with

the type of personally identifying data routinely

acquired during a crash investigation.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special

equipment is required, and access to the

vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the

vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as

law enforcement, that have the special

equipment, can read the information if they

have access to the vehicle or the EDR.



Do not attempt to modify any part of your

air bag system. The air bag may inflate acci

-

dentally or may not function properly if

modifications are made. Take your vehicle

to an authorized dealer for any air bag

system service. If your seat, including your

trim cover and cushion, needs to be

serviced in any way (including removal or

loosening/tightening of seat attachment

bolts), take the vehicle to an authorized

dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat

accessories may be used. If it is necessary

to modify the air bag system for persons

with disabilities, contact an authorized

dealer.

WARNING!

(Continued)

SAFETY

141

Child Restraints

Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up

at all times, including babies and children. Every

state in the United States, and every Canadian

province, requires that small children ride in

proper restraint systems. This is the law, and

you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years or younger should ride

properly buckled up in a rear seat, if available.

According to crash statistics, children are safer

when properly restrained in the rear seats

rather than in the front.

There are different sizes and types of restraints

for children from newborn size to the child

almost large enough for an adult safety belt.

Always check the child seat Owner’s Manual to

make sure you have the correct seat for your

child. Carefully read and follow all the

instructions and warnings in the child restraint

Owner’s Manual and on all the labels attached

to the child restraint.

Before buying any restraint system, make sure

that it has a label certifying that it meets all

applicable Safety Standards. You should also

make sure that you can install it in the vehicle

where you will use it.

NOTE:



For additional information, refer to

http://

www.nhtsa.gov/parents-and-caregivers

or

call: 1–888–327–4236



Canadian residents should refer to Transport

Canada’s website for additional information:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehicle

-

safety/safedrivers-childsafety-index-53.html

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child can

become a projectile inside the vehicle. The

force required to hold even an infant on your

lap could become so great that you could not

hold the child, no matter how strong you are.

The child and others could be badly injured or

killed. Any child riding in your vehicle should

be in a proper restraint for the child’s size.

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SAFETY

(Continued)

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

Infant And Child Restraints

Safety experts recommend that children ride

rear-facing in the vehicle until they are two years

old or until they reach either the height or

weight limit of their rear-facing child restraint.

Two types of child restraints can be used

rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child

seats.

The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the

vehicle. It is recommended for children from

birth until they reach the weight or height limit of

the infant carrier. Convertible child seats can be

used either rear-facing or forward-facing in the

vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a

higher weight limit in the rear-facing direction

than infant carriers do, so they can be used

rear-facing by children who have outgrown their

infant carrier but are still less than at least two

years old. Children should remain rear-facing

until they reach the highest weight or height

allowed by their convertible child seat.

Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age

Recommended Type Of Child Restraint

Infants and Toddlers

Children who are two years old or younger and

who have not reached the height or weight limits

of their child restraint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Convertible Child

Restraint, facing rearward in a rear seat of the

vehicle

Small Children

Children who are at least two years old or who

have outgrown the height or weight limit of their

rear-facing child restraint

Forward-Facing Child Restraint with a five-point

Harness, facing forward in a rear seat of the

vehicle

Larger Children

Children who have outgrown their forward-facing

child restraint, but are too small to properly fit

the vehicle’s seat belt

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the vehicle

seat belt, seated in a rear seat of the vehicle

Children Too Large for Child Restraints

Children 12 years old or younger, who have

outgrown the height or weight limit of their

booster seat

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in a rear seat of the

vehicle

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.

SAFETY

143

Older Children And Child Restraints

Children who are two years old or who have

outgrown their rear-facing convertible child seat

can ride forward-facing in the vehicle.

Forward-facing child seats and convertible child

seats used in the forward-facing direction are

for children who are over two years old or who

have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height

limit of their rear-facing convertible child seat.

Children should remain in a forward-facing child

seat with a harness for as long as possible, up

to the highest weight or height allowed by the

child seat.
All children whose weight or height is above the

forward-facing limit for the child seat should use

a belt-positioning booster seat until the

vehicle’s seat belts fit properly. If the child

cannot sit with knees bent over the vehicle’s

seat cushion while the child’s back is against

the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning

booster seat. The child and belt-positioning

booster seat are held in the vehicle by the

seat belt.



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.

WARNING!

Do not install a rear-facing car seat using a

rear support leg in this vehicle. The floor of

this vehicle is not designed to manage the

crash forces of this type of car seat. In a

crash, the support leg may not function as it

was designed by the car seat manufacturer,

and your child may be more severely injured

as a result.

WARNING!

(Continued)

WARNING!



Improper installation can lead to failure of

an infant or child restraint. It could come

loose in a collision. The child could be badly

injured or killed. Follow the child restraint

manufacturer’s directions exactly when

installing an infant or child restraint.



After a child restraint is installed in the

vehicle, do not move the vehicle seat

forward or rearward because it can loosen

the child restraint attachments. Remove

the child restraint before adjusting the

vehicle seat position. When the vehicle seat

has been adjusted, reinstall the child

restraint.



When your child restraint is not in use,

secure it in the vehicle with the seat belt or

LATCH anchorages, or remove it from the

vehicle. Do not leave it loose in the vehicle.

In a sudden stop or accident, it could strike

the occupants or seatbacks and cause

serious personal injury.

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SAFETY

Children Too Large For Booster Seats

Children who are large enough to wear the

shoulder belt comfortably, and whose legs are

long enough to bend over the front of the seat

when their back is against the seatback, should

use the seat belt in a rear seat. Use this simple

5-step test to decide whether the child can use

the vehicle’s seat belt alone:

1. Can the child sit all the way back against

the back of the vehicle seat?

2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over

the front of the vehicle seat – while the child

is still sitting all the way back?

3. Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s

shoulder between the neck and arm?

4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible,

touching the child’s thighs and not the

stomach?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the

whole trip?

If the answer to any of these questions was “no,

” then the child still needs to use a booster seat

in this vehicle. If the child is using the lap/

shoulder belt, check seat belt fit periodically

and make sure the seat belt buckle is latched.

A child’s squirming or slouching can move the

belt out of position. If the shoulder belt contacts

the face or neck, move the child closer to the

center of the vehicle, or use a booster seat to

position the seat belt on the child correctly.

WARNING!

Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt

under an arm or behind their back. In a crash,

the shoulder belt will not protect a child

properly, which may result in serious injury or

death. A child must always wear both the lap

and shoulder portions of the seat belt

correctly.

SAFETY

145

Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints

Restraint Type

Combined Weight of

the Child + Child

Restraint

Use Any Attachment Method Shown With An “X” Below

LATCH – Lower

Anchors Only

Seat Belt Only

LATCH – Lower

Anchors + Top

Tether Anchor

Seat Belt + Top

Tether Anchor

Rear-Facing Child

Restraint

Up to 65 lbs (29.5 kg)

X

X

Rear-Facing Child

Restraint

More than 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

Forward-Facing Child

Restraint

Up to 65 lbs (29.5 kg)

X

X

Forward-Facing Child

Restraint

More than 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

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SAFETY

Lower Anchors And Tethers For CHildren

(LATCH) Restraint System

LATCH Label

Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint

anchorage system called LATCH, which stands

for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The

LATCH system has three vehicle anchor points

for installing LATCH-equipped child seats. There

are two lower anchorages located at the back of

the seat cushion where it meets the seatback

and one top tether anchorage located behind

the seating position. These anchorages are

used to install LATCH-equipped child seats

without using the vehicle’s seat belts. Some

seating positions may have a top tether

anchorage but no lower anchorages.

In these seating positions, the seat belt must be

used with the top tether anchorage to install the

child restraint. Please see the following table for

more information.

LATCH Positions For Installing Child

Restraints In This Vehicle

2nd Row Bench Seat – LATCH Positions

2nd Row Stow ‘n Go Seating

Lower Anchorage Symbol (2 Anchorages Per

Seating Position)

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

Lower Anchorage Symbol (2 Anchorages Per

Seating Position)

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

SAFETY

147

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight

of the child restraint) for using the LATCH

anchorage system to attach the child restraint?

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

Use the LATCH anchorage system until the

combined weight of the child and the child

restraint is 65 lbs (29.5 kg). Use the seat belt

and tether anchor instead of the LATCH system

once the combined weight is more than 65 lbs

(29.5 kg).

Can the LATCH anchorages and the seat belt be

used together to attach a rear-facing or

forward-facing child restraint?

No

Do not use the seat belt when you use the

LATCH anchorage system to attach a rear-facing

or forward-facing child restraint.

Booster seats may be attached to the LATCH

anchorages if allowed by the booster seat

manufacturer. See your booster seat owner’s

manual for more information.

Can two child restraints be attached using a

common lower LATCH anchorage?

No

Never “share” a LATCH anchorage with two or

more child restraints. If the center position does

not have dedicated LATCH lower anchorages,

use the seat belt to install a child seat in the

center position next to a child seat using the

LATCH anchorages in an outboard position.

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SAFETY

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the

back of the front passenger seat?

Yes

The child seat may touch the back of the front

passenger seat if the child restraint

manufacturer also allows contact. See your

child restraint owner’s manual for more

information.

Can the rear head restraints be removed?

Yes

The 2nd row bench seating head restraints are

removable if they interfere with the installation

of the child restraint. The 2nd row stow n’ go

head restraints are not removable. The 3rd row

center head restraint is removable in all

vehicles, but the 3rd row outboard head

restraints are not removable. Refer to “Head

Restraints” in “Getting To Know Your Vehicle” for

further information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

SAFETY

149

NOTE:

If the folding, non-adjustable head restraint

interferes with the installation of the child

restraint, the head restraint may be folded and

the child seat installed in front of it.

Car Seat With Head Restraint Folded

Locating The LATCH Anchorages

The lower anchorages are round bars

that are found at the rear of the seat

cushion where it meets the seatback.

They are just visible when you lean

into the rear seat to install the child restraint.

You will easily feel them if you run your finger

along the gap between the seatback and seat

cushion.

2nd Row Bench Seat LATCH Lower Anchorages

2nd Row Stow n’ Go Seat LATCH Lower Anchorages

3rd Row 60/40 Seat LATCH Lower Anchorages

WARNING!

Always make sure the head restraint is in its

upright position when the seat is to be used

by an occupant who is not in a child restraint.

Sitting in a seat with the head restraint in its

lowered position could result in serious injury

or death in a collision.

1 – Folded Headrest
2 – Child Restraint

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SAFETY

Locating The Upper Tether Anchorages

Bench Seating
There are tether strap anchorages

located behind the second row

seating positions and the third row

center seating position. The tether anchorages

are located on the back of the seat, near the

floor.

Tether Strap Anchorages

(Second Row Bench Anchorage Shown)

Stow n’ Go Seating
There are tether strap anchorages located

behind the second row seating positions and

the third row center seating position. The tether

anchorages are located on the back of the seat,

near the floor.

Tether Strap Anchorages

(Third Row 60/40 Anchorage Shown)

Tether Strap Anchorages

(Second Row Captains Chair Anchorage Shown)