warning CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2005 1.G User Guide

WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision
and leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt
system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose
parts. Damaged parts must be replaced immediately.
Do not disassemble or modify the system. Seat belt
assemblies must be replaced after an accident if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.)
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short even when fully extended, an
authorized dealer can provide you with a seat belt
extender. This extender should be used only if the
existing belt is not long enough. When it is not required,
remove the extender and store it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
extender when the lap belt is not long enough when
it is worn low and snug, and in the recommended
seating positions. Remove and store the extender
when not needed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
2

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has airbags for the driver and passenger as a
supplement to the seat belt restraint systems. The driver’s
airbag is mounted in the steering wheel. The passenger
frontal airbag is mounted in the instrument panel, under
a cover marked SRS/AIRBAG.
These airbags inflate in higher speed frontal impacts.
They work with the instrument panel knee bolster and
the seat belts to provide improved protection for the
driver and passenger.The vehicle is also equipped with side airbags, located in
the driver and passenger doors. Side airbags also work
with seat belts to improve occupant protection.
WARNING!
•Do not put anything on or around the front 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 place objects between you and the side
airbags; the performance could be adversely af-
fected and/or objects could be pushed into you,
causing serious injury.
•Do not attach cup holders or any other objects on
or around the door. The inflating side airbag
could drive objects into occupants, causing seri-
ous injury.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
•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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31
2

•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
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.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
2

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.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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:
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
2

•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.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs. (9 kg). “Convertible” child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs. (9 kg) but are
less than one year old. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the
LATCH child restraint anchorage system. (See the
LATCH - Child Seat Anchorage System section.)
•Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
airbag unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag
deployment could cause severe injury or death to
infants in this position.
WARNING!
•A rearward facing infant restraint must not be
used unless the passenger airbag has been shut
off. A rearward facing infant restraint may be
struck by a deploying passenger airbag which
may cause severe or fatal injury to the infant.
•Improper installation can lead to failure of a child
restraint. It could come loose in a collision. The
child could be badly injured or killed. Follow the
manufacturer’s directions exactly when installing
a child restraint.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE