Jeep Compass Operating Information Manual page 107

ample, some pole collisions, truck underrides,
and angle offset collisions.
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 de-
celeration 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
right 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 re-
strain 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 inter-
action with the front air bags.
104
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, ste-
reos, citizen band radios, etc.
Supplemental Side Air Bags
Your vehicle is equipped with two types of side
air bags:
1. Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air
Bags (SABs): Located in the outboard
side of the front seats. The SABs are
marked with a "SRS AIRBAG" or "AIR-
BAG" label sewn into the outboard side of
the seats.
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag Label
The SABs may help to reduce the risk of occu-
pant injury during certain side impacts and/or
vehicle rollover events, in addition to the injury
reduction potential provided by the seat belts
and body structure.
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.
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.
2. Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Cur-
tains (SABICs): Located above the side
windows. The trim covering the SABICs is
labeled "SRS AIRBAG" or "AIRBAG."