2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 89

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89 • It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you. WARNING! Deployed airbags can't protect you in another collision. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as possible. Window Airbags Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)-If Equipped The window airbag control module determines if a side collision is severe enough to require the side airbags to inflate. The window airbag control module will not detect roll over, front or rear collisions. The airbag control module monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions. These include all of the items listed above. The airbag control module also turns on the AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on as a diagnostic or system check, then turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the light either momentarily or continuously. The side (window) impact SRS Airbags are designed to activate only in certain side collisions. When the airbag control module detects a collision requiring the window bags to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag pushes the side pillar molding out of the way and covers the window. The airbag inflates in about 30 milliseconds (about one-quarter of the time it takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you are not belted and 2