2009 Dodge Journey Owner's Manual - Page 55

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53 WARNING! • Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high enough to block the location of the side curtain airbag. The area where the side curtain airbag is located should remain free from any obstructions. Do not have any accessory items installed which will alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for installation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the vehicle for any reason. • Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects between you and the supplemental front seat mounted side airbags; the performance could be adversely affected and/or objects could be pushed into you, causing serious injury. • Do not attach cupholders or any other objects on or around the door. The inflating supplemental front seat mounted side airbags could drive the object into occupants, causing serious injury. NOTE: Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the proper performance of the curtain airbags. Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain and seat airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant protection. While the seat belts are designed to protect you in many types of collisions, the front airbags will deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. The supplemental side curtain airbag and supplemental front seat mounted side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle will also trigger in moderate to severe side collisions. However, even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in the correct position for the airbags to protect you properly. 2