Jeep 2008 Patriot Owner's Manual page 52

50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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 no longer
functional. These protective covers for the airbag cushions are
designed to open only when the airbags are inflating.
•
If your vehicle is equipped with side curtain airbags, do not
stack luggage or other cargo up high enough to block the
location of the side curtain airbag. The area where the side
curtain airbag is located should remain free from any obstruc-
tions.
•
If your vehicle is equipped with side curtain airbags, do not
have any accessory items installed which will alter the roof,
including adding a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof
racks that require permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for
installation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the
vehicle for any reason.
•
Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee impact bolster in any
way.
•
Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact bolster such as
alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios etc.
NOTE: Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat
hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the
proper performance of the side curtain airbags.
Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee impact bolsters to provide im-
proved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side
curtain airbags also work with seat belts to improve
occupant protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions.
If your vehicle is so equipped, the side curtain airbag on
the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to
severe side collisions. However, even in collisions where
the airbags deploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in
the correct position for the airbags to protect you prop-
erly.