2010 Chrysler Town & Country Owner Manual - Page 78

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77 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 an authorized dealer service the airbag system immediately. 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 Advanced Front 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 collision 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 airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The airbags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. The Advanced 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. Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side 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. Based on the severity and type of collision, the side airbag inflator on the crash side of the vehicle may be 2