2005 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Manual Touring - Page 47

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47 The airbag control module sends a message to the instrument cluster to turn on the AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first turned ON, then turns the light off. If the airbag control module detects a malfunction in any part of the system, the airbag light will turn on either momentarily or continuously. WARNING! Ignoring the AIRBAG 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 the airbag system checked right away. • When the airbag control module detects a collision requiring the Front Airbags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the front airbags. Different front airbag inflation rates are possible, these rates are determined by the airbag control module based on collision severity. The front airbag covers separate and fold out of the way as the front airbags inflate to their full size. The front airbags fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is only about half of the time it takes you to blink your eyes. The front airbags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. The driver's and passenger's front airbag gas is vented through the airbag material and small vent openings towards the instrument panel. In this way the front airbags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle. • The Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags are designed to activate only in certain side collisions. When the airbag control module detects a collision requiring the side curtain airbags to inflate, it signals the inflators on 2