Jeep Compass Operating Information Manual page 109

WARNING! (Continued)
• 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.
NOTE:
Air bag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open during air
bag deployment.
Side Impacts
In side impacts, the side impact sensors aid the
ORC in determining the appropriate response to
impact events. The system is calibrated to de-
ploy 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 im-
pact deploys the left Side Air Bags only and a
right side impact deploys the right Side Air Bags
only.
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.
106
Rollover Events
Side Air Bags are designed to activate in certain
rollover events. The ORC determines whether
the deployment of the Side Air Bags in a par-
ticular rollover event is appropriate, based on
the severity and type of collision. Vehicle dam-
age 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 rollover
events. The rollover sensing-system determines
if a rollover event may be in progress and
whether deployment is appropriate. A slower-
developing event may deploy the seat belt pre-
tensioners on both sides of the vehicle. A faster-
developing event may deploy the seat belt
pretensioners as well as the Side Air Bags on
both sides of the vehicle. The rollover sensing-
system may also deploy the seat belt preten-
sioners, with or without the Side Air Bags, on
both sides of the vehicle if the vehicle experi-
ences a near rollover event.
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.
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) moni-
tors the internal circuits and interconnecting
wiring associated with electrical Air Bag System
Components listed below:
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
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate im-
mediately 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