Dodge Grand Caravan (2020 year). Manual in english — page 8

SAFETY

119

(Continued)

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Some of the most important safety features in

your vehicle are the restraint systems:

Occupant Restraint Systems Features



Seat Belt Systems



Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air

Bags



Supplemental Active Head Restraints



Child Restraints

Some of the safety features described in this

section may be standard equipment on some

models, or may be optional equipment on

others. If you are not sure, ask an authorized

dealer.

Important Safety Precautions

Please pay close attention to the information in

this section. It tells you how to use your restraint

system properly, to keep you and your

passengers as safe as possible.
Here are some simple steps you can take to

minimize the risk of harm from a deploying air

bag:

1. Children 12 years old and under should

always ride buckled up in the rear seat of a

vehicle with a rear seat.

2. A child who is not big enough to wear the

vehicle seat belt properly (Refer to “Child

Restraints” in this section for further

information) must be secured in the

appropriate child restraint or

belt-positioning booster seat in a rear

seating position.

3. If a child from 2 to 12 years old (not in a

rear-facing child restraint) must ride in the

front passenger seat, move the seat as far

back as possible and use the proper child

restraint (Refer to “Child Restraints” in this

section for further information).

4. Never allow children to slide the shoulder

belt behind them or under their arm.

5. You should read the instructions provided

with your child restraint to make sure that

you are using it properly.

6. All occupants should always wear their lap

and shoulder belts properly.

7. The driver and front passenger seats should

be moved back as far as practical to allow

the front air bags room to inflate.

8. Do not lean against the door or window. If

your vehicle has side air bags, and

deployment occurs, the side air bags will

inflate forcefully into the space between

occupants and the door and occupants

could be injured.

9. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to

be modified to accommodate a disabled

person, refer to the “Customer Assistance”

section for customer service contact

information.

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.

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SAFETY

Seat Belt Systems

Buckle up even though you are an excellent

driver, even on short trips. Someone on the road

may be a poor driver and could cause a collision

that includes you. This can happen far away

from home or on your own street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives,

and they can reduce the seriousness of injuries

in a collision. Some of the worst injuries happen

when people are thrown from the vehicle. Seat

belts reduce the possibility of ejection and the

risk of injury caused by striking the inside of the

vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle should be

belted at all times.

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System

(BeltAlert)

Driver and Passenger BeltAlert (if equipped)

BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the

driver and outboard front seat passenger

(if equipped with outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert) to buckle their seat belts. The

BeltAlert feature is active whenever the ignition

switch is in the START or ON/RUN position.
Initial Indication
If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition

switch is first in the START or ON/RUN position,

a chime will signal for a few seconds. If the

driver or outboard front seat passenger

(if equipped with outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert) is unbuckled when the ignition switch

is first in the START or ON/RUN position the

Seat Belt Reminder Light will turn on and

remain on until both outboard front seat belts

are buckled. The outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert is not active when an outboard front

passenger seat is unoccupied.

BeltAlert Warning Sequence
The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated

when the vehicle is moving above a specified

vehicle speed range and the driver or outboard

front seat passenger is unbuckled (if equipped

with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert)

(the outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is

not active when the outboard front passenger

seat is unoccupied). The BeltAlert warning

sequence starts by blinking the Seat Belt

Reminder Light and sounding an intermittent

chime. Once the BeltAlert warning sequence

has completed, the Seat Belt Reminder Light

will remain on until the seat belts are buckled.

The BeltAlert warning sequence may repeat

based on vehicle speed until the driver and

occupied outboard front seat passenger seat

belts are buckled. The driver should instruct all

occupants to buckle their seat belts.
Change of Status
If the driver or outboard front seat passenger

(if equipped with outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert) unbuckles their seat belt while the

vehicle is traveling, the BeltAlert warning

sequence will begin until the seat belts are

buckled again.



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!

(Continued)

SAFETY

121

(Continued)

The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is

not active when the outboard front passenger

seat is unoccupied. BeltAlert may be triggered

when an animal or other items are placed on

the outboard front passenger seat or when the

seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is

recommended that pets be restrained in the

rear seat (if equipped) in pet harnesses or pet

carriers that are secured by seat belts, and

cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by an

authorized dealer. FCA US LLC does not

recommend deactivating BeltAlert.

NOTE:

If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the driver

or outboard front seat passenger (if equipped

with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert) is

unbuckled the Seat Belt Reminder Light will

turn on and remain on until the driver and

outboard front seat passenger seat belts are

buckled.

Lap/Shoulder Belts

All seating positions in your vehicle are

equipped with lap/shoulder belts.
The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only

during very sudden stops or collisions. This

feature allows the shoulder part of the seat belt

to move freely with you under normal

conditions. However, in a collision the seat belt

will lock and reduce your risk of striking the

inside of the vehicle or being thrown out of the

vehicle.

WARNING!



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, the air bags

won’t deploy at all. Always wear your seat

belt even though you have air bags.



In a collision, you and your passengers can

suffer much greater injuries if you are not

properly buckled up. You can strike the inte

-

rior of your vehicle or other passengers, or

you can be thrown out of the vehicle. Always

be sure you and others in your vehicle are

buckled up properly.



It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,

people riding in these areas are more likely

to be seriously injured or killed.



Do not allow people to ride in any area of

your vehicle that is not equipped with seats

and seat belts.



Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat

and using a seat belt properly. Occupants,

including the driver, should always wear

their seat belts whether or not an air bag is

also provided at their seating position to

minimize the risk of severe injury or death

in the event of a crash.



Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could

make your injuries in a collision much

worse. You might suffer internal injuries, or

you could even slide out of the seat belt.

Follow these instructions to wear your seat

belt safely and to keep your passengers

safe, too.



Two people should never be belted into a

single seat belt. People belted together can

crash into one another in a collision, hurting

one another badly. Never use a lap/

shoulder belt or a lap belt for more than one

person, no matter what their size.

WARNING!

(Continued)

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SAFETY

(Continued)

Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions

1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit

back and adjust the seat.

2. The seat belt latch plate is above the back

of the front seat, and next to your arm in the

rear seat (for vehicles equipped with a rear

seat). Grasp the latch plate and pull out the

seat belt. Slide the latch plate up the

webbing as far as necessary to allow the

seat belt to go around your lap.

Pulling Out The Latch Plate

WARNING!



A lap belt worn too high can increase the

risk of injury in a collision. The seat belt

forces won’t be at the strong hip and pelvic

bones, but across your abdomen. Always

wear the lap part of your seat belt as low as

possible and keep it snug.



A twisted seat belt may not protect you

properly. In a collision, it could even cut into

you. Be sure the seat belt is flat against

your body, without twists. If you can’t

straighten a seat belt in your vehicle, take it

to an authorized dealer immediately and

have it fixed.



A seat belt that is buckled into the wrong

buckle will not protect you properly. The lap

portion could ride too high on your body,

possibly causing internal injuries. Always

buckle your seat belt into the buckle

nearest you.



A seat belt that is too loose will not protect

you properly. In a sudden stop, you could

move too far forward, increasing the possi

-

bility of injury. Wear your seat belt snugly.



A seat belt that is worn under your arm is

dangerous. Your body could strike the

inside surfaces of the vehicle in a collision,

increasing head and neck injury. A seat belt

worn under the arm can cause internal inju

-

ries. Ribs aren’t as strong as shoulder

bones. Wear the seat belt over your

shoulder so that your strongest bones will

take the force in a collision.



A shoulder belt placed behind you will not

protect you from injury during a collision.

You are more likely to hit your head in a

collision if you do not wear your shoulder

belt. The lap and shoulder belt are meant to

be used together.



A frayed or torn seat belt could rip apart in

a collision and leave you with no protection.

Inspect the seat belt system periodically,

checking for cuts, frays, or loose parts.

Damaged parts must be replaced immedi

-

ately. Do not disassemble or modify the

seat belt system. Seat belt assemblies

must be replaced after a collision.

WARNING!

(Continued)

SAFETY

123

3. When the seat belt is long enough to fit,

insert the latch plate into the buckle until

you hear a “click.”

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle

4. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and

lies low across your hips, below your

abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt

portion, pull up on the shoulder belt. To

loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, tilt the

latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug

seat belt reduces the risk of sliding under

the seat belt in a collision.

Positioning The Lap Belt

5. Position the shoulder belt across the

shoulder and chest with minimal, if any

slack so that it is comfortable and not

resting on your neck. The retractor will

withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.

6. To release the seat belt, push the red button

on the buckle. The seat belt will automat

-

ically retract to its stowed position. If

necessary, slide the latch plate down the

webbing to allow the seat belt to retract

fully.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure

Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted

lap/shoulder belt.

1. Position the latch plate as close as

possible to the anchor point.

2. At about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above

the latch plate, grasp and twist the seat belt

webbing 180 degrees to create a fold that

begins immediately above the latch plate.

3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded

webbing. The folded webbing must enter

the slot at the top of the latch plate.

4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it

clears the folded webbing and the seat belt

is no longer twisted.

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SAFETY

(Continued)

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

In the front and second row outboard seats the

shoulder belt can be adjusted upward or

downward to position the seat belt away from

your neck. Push or squeeze the anchorage

button to release the anchorage, and move it up

or down to the position that serves you best.

Adjustable Anchorage

As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you

will prefer the shoulder belt anchorage in a

lower position, and if you are taller than

average, you will prefer the shoulder belt

anchorage in a higher position. After you

release the anchorage button, try to move it up

or down to make sure that it is locked in

position.

NOTE:

The adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage

is equipped with an Easy Up feature. This

feature allows the shoulder belt anchorage to

be adjusted in the upward position without

pushing or squeezing the release button. To

verify the shoulder belt anchorage is latched,

pull downward on the shoulder belt anchorage

until it is locked into position.

Second Row Center (If Equipped) and Third

Row Center Seat Belt Operating Instructions

The second row center (if equipped) and third

row center seat belts feature a seat belt with a

mini-latch plate and buckle, which allows the

seat belt to detach from the lower anchor when

the seat is folded. The mini-latch plate and

regular latch plate can then be stored out of the

way in the headliner for added convenience to

open up utilization of the storage areas behind

the front seats when the seat is not occupied.

WARNING!



Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could

make your injuries in a collision much

worse. You might suffer internal injuries, or

you could even slide out of the seat belt.

Follow these instructions to wear your seat

belt safely and to keep your passengers

safe, too.



Position the shoulder belt across the

shoulder and chest with minimal, if any

slack so that it is comfortable and not

resting on your neck. The retractor will with

-

draw any slack in the shoulder belt.



Misadjustment of the seat belt could

reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt

in a crash.



Always make all seat belt height adjust

-

ments when the vehicle is stationary.

WARNING!

(Continued)

SAFETY

125

1. Remove the mini-latch plate and regular

latch plate from its stowed position in the

headliner slightly behind the second or

third row seat.

Mini-Latch Stowage

2. Grasp the mini-latch plate and pull the seat

belt over the seat.

Mini-Latch Stowage

3. Route the shoulder belt to the inside of the

left head restraint.

Connect Second Row Mini-Latch To Buckle

4. When the seat belt is long enough to fit,

insert the mini-latch plate into the

mini-buckle until you hear a “click.”

Second Row Mini-Latch And Buckle Connected

5. Sit back in seat. Slide the regular latch plate

up the webbing as far as necessary to allow

the seat belt to go around your lap.

Rear Center Seat Belt Buckled

6. When the seat belt is long enough to fit,

insert the latch plate into the buckle until

you hear a “click.”

Rear Center Seat Belt Buckled

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SAFETY

(Continued)

7. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and

lies low across your hips, below your

abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt

portion, pull up on the shoulder belt. To

loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, pull on

the lap belt. A snug seat belt reduces the

risk of sliding under the seat belt in a

collision.

8. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so

that it is comfortable and not resting on your

neck. The retractor will withdraw any slack

in the seat belt.

9. To release the seat belt, push the red button

on the buckle.

10. To disengage the mini-latch plate from the

mini-buckle for storage, insert the regular

latch plate into the center red slot on the

mini-buckle. The seat belt will automatically

retract to its stowed position. If necessary,

slide the latch plate down the webbing to

allow the seat belt to retract fully. Insert the

mini-latch plate and regular latch plate into

its stowed position.

Detaching Mini-Buckle With Seat Belt Tongue

Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is not long enough to fit properly,

even when the webbing is fully extended and

the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage

(if equipped) is in its lowest position, an

authorized dealer can provide you with a Seat

Belt Extender. The Seat Belt Extender should be

used only if the existing seat belt is not long

enough. When the Seat Belt Extender is not

required for a different occupant, it must be

removed.

WARNING!



If the mini-latch plate and mini-buckle are

not properly connected when the seat belt

is used by an occupant, the seat belt will

not be able to provide proper restraint and

will increase the risk of injury in a collision.



When reattaching the mini-latch plate and

mini-buckle, ensure the seat belt webbing

is not twisted. If the webbing is twisted,

follow the preceding procedure to detach

the mini-latch plate and mini-buckle,

untwist the webbing, and reattach the

mini-latch plate and mini-buckle.

WARNING!



ONLY use a Seat Belt Extender if it is physi

-

cally required in order to properly fit the

original seat belt system. DO NOT USE the

Seat Belt Extender if, when worn, the

distance between the front edge of the

Seat Belt Extender buckle and the center of

the occupant’s body is LESS than 6 inches.

SAFETY

127

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

Seat belts must be worn by all occupants

including pregnant women: the risk of injury in

the event of an accident is reduced for the

mother and the unborn child if they are wearing

a seat belt.
Position the lap belt snug and low below the

abdomen and across the strong bones of the

hips. Place the shoulder belt across the chest

and away from the neck. Never place the

shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm.

Seat Belt Pretensioner

The front outboard seat belt system is equipped

with pretensioning devices that are designed to

remove slack from the seat belt in the event of

a collision. These devices may improve the

performance of the seat belt by removing slack

from the seat belt early in a collision. Preten

-

sioners work for all size occupants, including

those in child restraints.

NOTE:

These devices are not a substitute for proper

seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat

belt still must be worn snugly and positioned

properly.

The pretensioners are triggered by the

Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Like the

air bags, the pretensioners are single use items.

A deployed pretensioner or a deployed air bag

must be replaced immediately.

Energy Management Feature

The front outboard seat belt system is equipped

with an Energy Management feature that may

help further reduce the risk of injury in the event

of a collision. The seat belt system has a

retractor assembly that is designed to release

webbing in a controlled manner.



Using a Seat Belt Extender when not

needed can increase the risk of serious

injury or death in a collision. Only use the

Seat Belt Extender when the lap belt is not

long enough and only use in the recom

-

mended seating positions. Remove and

store the Seat Belt Extender when not

needed.

WARNING!

(Continued)

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SAFETY

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors

(ALR) (If Equipped)

The seat belts in the passenger seating

positions may be equipped with a Switchable

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) which is

used to secure a child restraint system. For

additional information, refer to “Installing Child

Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt” under

the “Child Restraints” section of this manual.

The figure below illustrates the locking feature

for each seating position.

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

(2nd Row Bench Seat )

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

(2nd Row Stow ‘n Go Seating)

If the passenger seating position is equipped

with an ALR and is being used for normal usage,

only pull the seat belt webbing out far enough to

comfortably wrap around the occupant’s

mid-section so as to not activate the ALR. If the

ALR is activated, you will hear a clicking sound

as the seat belt retracts. Allow the webbing to

retract completely in this case and then

carefully pull out only the amount of webbing

necessary to comfortably wrap around the

occupant’s mid-section. Slide the latch plate

into the buckle until you hear a "click."

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is

automatically pre-locked. The seat belt will still

retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt.

Use the Automatic Locking Mode anytime a

child restraint is installed in a seating position

that has a seat belt with this feature. Children

12 years old and under should always be

properly restrained in the rear seat of a vehicle

with a rear seat.

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.

SAFETY

129

(Continued)

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder

belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull

downward until the entire seat belt is

extracted.

3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat

belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound.

This indicates the seat belt is now in the

Automatic Locking Mode.

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt

and allow it to retract completely to disengage

the Automatic Locking Mode and activate the

vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.

Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR)

These head restraints are passive, deployable

components, and vehicles with this equipment

cannot be readily identified by any markings,

only through visual inspection of the head

restraint. The head restraint will be split in two

halves, with the front half being soft foam and

trim, the back half being decorative plastic.

How The Active Head Restraints (AHR) Work
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

determines whether the severity or type of rear

impact will require the Active Head Restraints

(AHR) to deploy. If a rear impact requires

deployment, both the driver and front

passenger seat AHRs will be deployed.
When AHRs deploy during a rear impact, the

front half of the head restraint extends forward

to minimize the gap between the back of the

occupant’s head and the AHR. This system is

designed to help prevent or reduce the extent of

injuries to the driver and front passenger in

certain types of rear impacts.

NOTE:

The Active Head Restraints (AHR) may or may

not deploy in the event of a front or side impact.

However, if during a front impact, a secondary

rear impact occurs, the AHR may deploy based

on the severity and type of the impact.

WARNING!



The seat belt assembly must be replaced if

the switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

(ALR) feature or any other seat belt function

is not working properly when checked

according to the procedures in the Service

Manual.



Failure to replace the seat belt assembly

could increase the risk of injury in

collisions.



Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode to

restrain occupants who are wearing the

seat belt or children who are using booster

seats. The locked mode is only used to

install rear-facing or forward-facing child

restraints that have a harness for

restraining the child.

WARNING!

(Continued)

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SAFETY

Active Head Restraint (AHR) Components:

Active Head Restraint (AHR) Components

NOTE:

For more information on properly adjusting and

positioning the head restraint, refer to “Head

Restraints” in “Getting To Know Your Vehicle.”

Resetting Active Head Restraints (AHR)

Active Head Restraint (AHR) Deployed

If the Active Head Restraints are triggered

during a collision, the front half of the head

restraint will be extended forward and

separated from the rear half of the head

restraint (See Image). Do not drive your vehicle

after the AHRs have deployed. The head

restraint must be reset into the original position

to best protect the occupant for all types of

collisions.

1 — Head Restraint Front Half

(Soft Foam And Trim)
2 — Head Restraint Back Half

(Decorative Plastic Rear Cover)
3 — Head Restraint Guide Tubes
4 — Seat Back

WARNING!



All occupants, including the driver, should

not operate a vehicle or sit in a vehicle’s

seat until the head restraints are placed in

their proper positions in order to minimize

the risk of neck injury in the event of a

collision.



Do not place items over the top of the

Active Head Restraint, such as coats, seat

covers or portable DVD players. These

items may interfere with the operation of

the Active Head Restraint in the event of a

collision and could result in serious injury or

death.



Active Head Restraints may be deployed if

they are struck by an object such as a hand,

foot or loose cargo. To avoid accidental

deployment of the Active Head Restraint,

ensure that all cargo is secured, as loose

cargo could contact the Active Head

Restraint during sudden stops. Failure to

follow this warning could cause personal

injury if the Active Head Restraint is

deployed.

SAFETY

131

An authorized FCA US LLC dealer must reset the

AHRs on the driver’s and front passenger’s seat

before driving. Personally attempting to reset

the AHRs may result in damage to the AHRs that

could impair their function.

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)

Some of the safety features described in this

section may be standard equipment on some

models, or may be optional equipment on

others. If you are not sure, ask an authorized

dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to protect you

in a collision. The Occupant Restraint Controller

(ORC) monitors the internal circuits and

interconnecting wiring associated with the

electrical Air Bag System Components.

Your vehicle may be equipped with the following

Air Bag System Components:

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



Seat Belt Buckle Switch



Supplemental Side Air Bags



Supplemental Knee Air Bags



Front and Side Impact Sensors



Seat Belt Pretensioners



Seat Track Position Sensors

Air Bag Warning Light

The Occupant Restraint Controller

(ORC) monitors the readiness of the

electronic parts of the air bag system

whenever the ignition switch is in the

START or ON/RUN position. If the ignition switch

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 bag system even

if the battery loses power or it becomes discon

-

nected prior to deployment.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in

the instrument panel for approximately four to

eight seconds for a self-check when the ignition

switch is first in the ON/RUN position. 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 to alert you if the light

comes on again after initial startup.

WARNING!

Deployed AHRs are not able to best protect

you in all types of collisions. Have deployed

AHRs reset by an authorized dealer

immediately.

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132

SAFETY

(Continued)

The ORC also includes diagnostics that will

illuminate the instrument panel Air Bag Warning

Light if a malfunction is detected that could

affect the air bag system. The diagnostics also

record the nature of the malfunction. While the

air bag system is designed to be maintenance

free, if any of the following occurs, have an

authorized dealer service the air bag system

immediately.



The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on

during the four to eight seconds when the

ignition switch is first in the ON/RUN position.



The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after

the four to eight-second interval.



The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermit

-

tently or remains on while driving.

NOTE:

If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine

related gauges are not working, the Occupant

Restraint Controller (ORC) may also be

disabled. In this condition the air bags may not

be ready to inflate for your protection. Have an

authorized dealer service the air bag system

immediately.

Front Air Bags

This vehicle has front air bags and lap/shoulder

belts for both the driver and front passenger.

The front air bags are a supplement to the seat

belt restraint systems. The driver front air bag is

mounted in the center of the steering wheel.

The passenger front air bag is mounted in the

instrument panel, above the glove

compartment. The words “SRS AIRBAG” or

“AIRBAG” are embossed on the air bag covers.

Front Air Bag/Knee Impact Bolster Locations

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your

instrument panel could mean you won’t have

the air bag system 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.

1 — Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags
2 — Passenger Knee Impact Bolster
3 — Driver Knee Impact Bolster/Supplemental

Driver Knee Air Bag

WARNING!



Being too close to the steering wheel or

instrument panel during front air bag

deployment could cause serious injury,

including death. Air bags need room to

inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending

your arms to reach the steering wheel or

instrument panel.

SAFETY

133

(Continued)

Driver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features

The Advanced Front Air Bag system has

multistage driver and front passenger air bags.

This system provides output appropriate to the

severity and type of collision as determined by

the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), which

may receive information from the front impact

sensors (if equipped) or other system

components.

The first stage inflator is triggered immediately

during an impact that requires air bag

deployment. A low energy output is used in less

severe collisions. A higher energy output is used

for more severe collisions.
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.

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.



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.

WARNING!

(Continued)

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 manu

-

ally. 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)

4

134

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.

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 Driver Knee Air Bag

This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental

Driver Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument

panel below the steering column. The Supple

-

mental Driver Knee Air Bag provides enhanced

protection during a frontal impact by working

together with the seat belts, pretensioners, and

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 reduction potential

provided by the seat belts and body structure.

Front Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag

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.