RAM promaster 2017 User Manual page 22

G E T T I N G S T A R T E D
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.
• 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
collision 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
manually. 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.
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.
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 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 restrain the driver and front passenger.
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WARNING!