CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2006 1.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury.
•Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfort-
ably extending your arms to reach the steering
wheel or instrument panel.
•The side airbags also need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door. Sit upright in the center of
the seat.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Airbag control module and internal crash sensor
•AIRBAG readiness light
•Driver and passenger frontal airbag/inflator units
•Driver and passenger side airbag/inflator units
•Passenger airbag On/Off switch and indicator light
•Unique steering wheel and column
•Unique instrument panel
•Interconnecting wiring
•Knee impact bolster
•Side impact sensors
How the Front Airbag System Works
•
A crash sensor in the occupant compartment deter-
mines if a frontal impact is severe enough to require
the airbag. The sensor will not detect side, roll over, or
rear impacts. The sensor is connected to the diagnostic
unit and to the airbag/inflator unit.
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•The Occupant Restraint Controller monitors the readi-
ness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON/RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolster, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column.
•The Occupant Restraint Controller also turns on the
AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for four seconds
when the ignition is first turned on, then turns the
light off. If it detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, it turns on the light either momentarily or
continuously depending on the condition that is
present at the time.
•The airbag/inflator units are in the center of the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel. The words
SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
WARNING!
Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers
or attempt to manually open them. You may damage
the airbags and you could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. These protective
covers are designed to open only when the airbags
are inflated.
•When the crash sensor detects an impact requiring the
airbags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
nontoxic nitrogen gas is generated to inflate the air-
bags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of the
way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and passenger. The airbag gas is vented
through the airbag material towards the instrument
panel. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
•The knee impact bolster helps protect the knees and
working with the seat belts, position you for the best
interaction with the airbags.
If a Deployment Occurs
WARNING!
Deployed airbags can’t protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the impact
sensors detect a moderate-to-severe frontal collision, to
help restrain the driver and passenger, and then to
immediately deflate.
NOTE:A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system. The system may also inflate only one airbag in a
reduced severity frontal collision if the seat belt on that
side of the vehicles is not fastened. This also does not
mean something is wrong with your airbag system.
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If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and passen-
ger as the airbags 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 airbags deflate, you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic nitrogen gas used
for airbag inflation. These airborne particles may irri-
tate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or
eye irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For noseor 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 in-
structions for cleaning.
•It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have been deployed. If you are involved in
another collision, the airbags will not be in place to
protect you.
How the Side Impact Airbag System Works
•
The side impact airbags are located in the doors above
the armrest.
•Separate crash sensors in the vehicle determine if a
side impact is severe enough to require the airbag on
the side of the vehicle subjected to an impact. As with
the frontal system, the sensors are connected to the
diagnostic unit and the airbag/inflator units.
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•When a side impact above a predetermined threshold
occurs, the sensors signal the inflator on the impacted
side of the vehicle. A large quantity of nontoxic
nitrogen gas is generated to inflate the airbag. The
door panel opens to allow the airbag to inflate to its
full size.WARNING!
•Do not put anything on or around the airbag
covers or attempt to manually open them. You
may damage the airbags and you could be injured
because the airbags are not there to protect you.
These protective covers are designed to open only
when the airbags are inflated.
•Do not attach cup holders or any other objects on
or around the door. The inflating side airbag
could drive the objects into occupants, causing
serious injury.
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•The operational readiness of the side airbag system is
verified by the airbag indicator light in the instrument
cluster when turning the key in the ignition switch to
the ON/RUN position. If no fault is detected, the light
will go out after approximately four seconds. After the
light goes out, the system continues to monitor the
components and circuitry of the airbag system and
will indicate a malfunction by coming on again. If the
light does not come on at all, or if it fails to go out after
the four seconds, or if it comes on thereafter, a mal-
function in the system has been detected. See your
authorized dealer for service.WARNING!
•The door mounted side airbag deploys with con-
siderable force. Being too close to the door panel
during airbag deployment could cause serious
injury or death.
•All occupants must be in the appropriate restraint
for their size and age, especially children 12 and
under.
•To help avoid the potential for serious injury and
death should the side airbag be activated, please
follow these guidelines:
1. Occupants, especially children, should never lean
against the door in the area where the side airbag
inflates;
2. Occupants need to sit upright in the center of the
seat to give the side airbag room to inflate;
3. Always use the appropriate restraint for the occu-
pant and ensure it is properly used.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Passenger Front Airbag On/Off Switch
The on/off switch is located at the right end of the
instrument panel and is accessible by opening the pas-
senger door.
The on/off switch is to be used only when the passenger
is:
•an infant (less than 1 year old),
•a child, age 1 to 12,
•an adult with a medical condition which makes pas-
senger airbag inflation (deployment) a greater risk for
the passenger than the risk of hitting the dashboard
(instrument panel) or windshield in a crash.If the airbag is turned off when there is any other
occupant at that position, the supplemental restraint
provided by the airbag will not be available.
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To turn OFF the passenger front airbag, use the on/off
switch located on the instrument panel.
NOTE:When the passenger airbag is turned off, the
yellow airbag off light will illuminate.To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag:
•Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key clockwise, and remove the key from the switch.
This will shut off the passenger front airbag.
•The air bag will remain off until the switch is turned
back to the ON position.
•The switch does NOT turn off the side airbag.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Turn On the Passenger Airbag:
•Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key counterclockwise, and remove the key from the
switch. This will turn on the passenger airbag. The
Passenger Airbag Off light on the console will turn off,
or will not be illuminated when the ignition is turned
to the ON position.
WARNING!
The airbag may malfunction and serious injury
could result if key is left in the airbag shut off
switch. Always remove the key.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the airbag covers. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is dan-
gerous to try to repair any part of the airbag
system yourself. Don’t try to repair the airbag
system. Be sure to tell anyone who works on your
vehicle that it has airbags.
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Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for
your protection in case of a collision. While the
airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the
system immediately.
•The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the four seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the four second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile 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. Any child riding in
your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the
child’s size.
Infants and Child Restraints
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 ensure you have the right seat for your child.
Use the restraint that is correct for your child:
•Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 9 kg (20 lbs.). Two
types of child restraints can be used rearward-facing:
infant carriers and “convertible” child seats.
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