2008 Chrysler Town & Country Owner Manual - Page 74

72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE WARNING! • Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during front airbag deployment could cause serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or instrument panel. • Side airbags also need room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit upright in the center of the seat. Airbag Deployment Sensors and Controls Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) The ORC is part of a Federally regulated safety system required for this vehicle. The ORC determines if a frontal or side collision is severe enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the impact sensors signals, a central electronic ORC deploys the front airbags, side inflatable airbag curtains, side seat thorax airbags, and front seat belt pretensioners as required for each type of impact. The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START or ON position. These include all of the components listed above except the steering wheel and column, instrument panel, and seat belt reminder light. If the key is in the OFF position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate. The ORC contains a backup power supply system that will deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or it becomes disconnected prior to deployment. Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warning light in the instrument panel for approximately four to six seconds for a self-check when the ignition is first turned on. After the self-check,