2009 Dodge Durango Owner Manual - Page 55

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53 WARNING! (Continued) • 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. 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 window bags. Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Window bags 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. The window bag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. Window bags will also deploy on rollover events. But even in collisions where the airbags work, you need the seat belts to keep you in the correct position for the airbags to protect you properly. Here are some simple steps you can follow to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. 1. Children 12 years and under should always ride buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint. 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. 2