2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Manual - Page 49

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47 Airbags inflate in moderate-to-high-speed impacts. Along with seat belts and pretensioners, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee impact blockers to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) 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-tosevere frontal collisions. If your vehicle is equipped, the Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain types of collisions, both the front seat Side Airbag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) may be triggered. But even in collisions where the airbags work, you need to wear the seat belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags to protect you properly. NOTE: The passenger front airbag may not deploy even when the driver front airbag has, if the Occupant Classification System (refer to ЉOccupant Classification Module (OCM)Љ in this section) has determined the passenger seat is empty or is occupied by someone that is classified in the "childЉ category. This could be a child, a teenager, or even a small adult. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. 1. Children 12 years old and younger should always ride buckled up in a rear seat. 2 WARNING! Infants in rear-facing child restraints should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag. An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to infants in that position.