2009 Dodge Nitro Owner Manual - Page 55

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53 • Occupant Classification System (OCS) - Front Passenger Seat Only − Occupant Classification Module − Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light − Weight Sensors How The Airbag System Works • The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module determines if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe enough to require the airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are designed to provide different rates of airbag inflation from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC may also modify the rate of inflation based on the occupant size provided by the Occupant Classification module. The ORC will detect roll over, but not rear impacts. The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START or ON positions. These include all of the items listed above except the instrument panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the key is in the LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate. • Also, the ORC turns on the "Airbag Warning Light" and "PAD Indicator Light" for six to eight seconds for a self-check when the ignition is first turned ON. After the selfcheck, the "Airbag Warning Light" will turn off. The "PAD Indicator Light" will function normally (Refer to ЉPassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator LightЉ in this section). If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the "Airbag Warning Light" either momentarily or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on again after initial start up. 2