2008 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual - Page 52

50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE WARNING! • Do not put anything on or around the front airbag covers or attempt to manually open them. You may damage the airbags and you could be injured because the airbags are no longer functional. These protective covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open only when the airbags are inflating. If your vehicle is equipped with side curtain airbags, 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. If your vehicle is equipped with side curtain airbags, 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 drill, cut or tamper with the knee impact bolster in any way. Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact bolster such as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios etc. 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 side curtain airbags. Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee impact bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant protection. The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is so equipped, the side curtain airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered 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. • • • •