Dodge Caliber Owner's Manual page 41

Also, the ORC turns on the Airbag
Warning Light in the instrument
panel for approximately six to eight
seconds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Airbag Warning
Light will turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunc-
tion in any part of the system, it turns on the
Airbag Warning Light, either momentarily or
continuously. A single chime will sound if the
light comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate
the instrument cluster Airbag Warning Light if a
malfunction is noted. The diagnostics also
record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light in your
instrument panel could mean you won't have
the airbags to protect you in a collision. If the
light does not come on, stays on after you
start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you drive,
have the airbag system checked right away.
PAGE POSITION: 41
Driver and Passenger Airbag Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units
are located in the center of the steering wheel
and the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the
airbags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate
the Advanced Front Airbags. Different airbag
inflation rates are possible, based on the colli-
sion type and severity. The steering wheel hub
trim cover and the upper right side of the
instrument panel separate and fold out of the
way as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink
your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passen-
ger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through
the vent holes in the sides of the airbag. The
passenger front airbag gas is vented through
the vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way, the airbags do not interfere with your
control of the vehicle.
JOB: @ibm2/chry_pdm/CLS_chrysler/GRP_owners/JOB_202748-en-cal-10PM491-126-ENG-AA/DIV_og
Supplemental Side Seat Airbag Inflator
Units — If Equipped
The Side Impact (SRS) Seat-Mounted Side
Airbags are designed to activate only in certain
side collisions.
The ORC determines if a side collision requires
the side airbags to inflate based on the severity
and type of collision.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the elec-
tronic parts of the system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or ON positions. These
include all of the items previously mentioned.
Based on the severity and type of collision, the
side airbag inflator on the crash side of the
vehicle may be triggered, releasing a quantity
of non-toxic gas. The inflating side airbag exits
through the seat seam into the space between
the occupant and the door. The side airbags
fully inflate in about 10 milliseconds. The side
airbag moves at a very high speed and with
such a high force, that it could injure you if you
are not seated properly, or if items are posi-
tioned in the area where the side airbag in-
flates. This especially applies to children.
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