Jeep Cherokee Operating Information Manual page 41

• Also, the ORC turns on the "Air
Bag Warning Light" for four to
eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned
to ON/RUN. After the self-
check, the "Air Bag Warning
Light" will turn off. If the ORC detects a
malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the "Air Bag Warning Light" either mo-
mentarily or continuously. A single chime will
sound if the light comes on again after initial
startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illumi-
nate the instrument cluster Air Bag Warning
Light if a malfunction is noted that could
affect the air bag system. The diagnostics
also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your
instrument panel could mean you won't have
the air bags to protect you in a collision. If the
light does not come on as a bulb check when
the ignition is first turned on, stays on after
you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
• Driver And Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air
Bag Inflator Units are located in the center of
the steering wheel and on the right side of the
instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the Advanced Front Air
Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quan-
tity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag
inflation rates are possible based on collision
severity and type. 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 air bags
fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This
is about half of the time it takes to blink your
eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passen-
ger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented
through the vent holes in the sides of the air
bag. In this way, the air bags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable
Curtain (SABIC) Inflator Units
During collisions where the impact is confined
to a particular area of the side of the vehicle,
the ORC may deploy the SABIC air bags,
depending on the severity and type of collision.
In these events, the ORC will deploy the SABIC
only on the impact side of the vehicle. Because
air bag sensors estimate deceleration over
time, vehicle speed and damage by them-
selves are not good indicators of whether or not
an air bag should have deployed.
A quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to
inflate the side curtain air bag. The inflating
side curtain air bag pushes the outside edge of
the headliner out of the way and covers the
37