2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Manual - Page 61

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59 Event Data Recorder (EDR) In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data parameters (see following list) in an event data recorder prior to the moment of airbag deployment, or near-deployment, and up to a quarter-second of high-speed deceleration data during, and/or after airbag deployment or neardeployment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys, or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable. Specific Vehicle Date Parameters 1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indicative of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag deployment. 2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be recorded (e.g., loss of battery power). In conjunction with other data gathered during a complete accident investigation, the electronic data may be used by Chrysler LLC and others to learn more about the possible causes of crashes and associated injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle performance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by Chrysler LLC, such investigations may be requested by customers, insurance carriers, government officials, and professional crash researchers, such as those associated with universities, and with hospital and insurance organizations. In the event that an investigation is undertaken by Chrysler LLC (regardless of initiative), the company or its designated representative will first obtain permission of the appropriate custodial entity for the vehicle (usually the vehicle owner or lessee) before accessing the electronic data stored, unless ordered to download data by a court with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant). A copy of the data will be provided to the custodial entity 2