Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (2012 year). Instruction

Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.

Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all crashes,
and also are needed to help keep you in position, away
from an inflating air bag.

The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the air bag system whenever the ignition switch
is in the START or ON/RUN positions. If the key is in the
LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the
ignition, the air bag system is not on and the air bags will
not inflate.

The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.

Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light for four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will turn

off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, it turns on the Air Bag Warning Light either
momentarily or continuously. A single chime will sound
if the light comes on again after initial startup.

It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.

Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates

are possible, based on the collision type and severity. The
steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of
the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way as
the air bags inflate to their full size. The air bags fully
inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes to blink your eyes. The air bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.

The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.

Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
Inflator Units — If Equipped
The Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags Inflator
Units (if equipped) are designed to activate only in
certain side collisions.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The ORC determines if a side collision requires the side
air bags to inflate, based on several factors, including the
severity and type of collision.

Based on several factors, including the severity and type
of collision, the side air bag inflator on the crash side of
the vehicle is triggered, releasing a quantity of non-toxic
gas. The inflating SAB exits through the seat seam into
the space between the occupant and the door. The SAB
fully inflate in about 10 milliseconds. The side air bag
moves at a very high speed and with such a high force
that it could injure you if you are not seated properly, or
if items are positioned in the area where the side air bag
inflates. This especially applies to children.

Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and the front passenger, and position front occu-
pants for the best interaction with the Advanced Front
Air Bag.

Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, front and side impact sensors
can aid the ORC in determining the appropriate response
to certain impact events.

Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the follow-
ing functions:

• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or

until the ignition key is turned off.

• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as

the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Unlock the doors automatically.

In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response System
functions after an event, the ignition switch must be
changed from IGN ON to IGN OFF.

If A Deployment Occurs
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.

NOTE:

Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all

collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.

If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:

• The nylon air bag material may sometimes cause

abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium

floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.

• As the air bags deflate you may see some smoke-like

particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the non-toxic gas used for air
bag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the
skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye
irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or
throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation
continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s in-
structions for cleaning.

• Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have

deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the
air bags will not be in place to protect you.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners

cannot protect you in another collision. Have the
air bags, seat belt pretensioner, and seat belt
retractor assembly replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC) system serviced as well.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag

system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are
made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat, includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion, needs to be
serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your autho-
rized dealer.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Air Bag System

WARNING!

• Modifications to any part of the air bag system

could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper or vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.

• You need proper knee impact protection in a

collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.

• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air

bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag system.

Air Bag Warning Light

You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated

with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.

• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during

the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned to the ON/RUN position.

• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to

eight-second interval.

• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or

remains on while driving.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine

related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The air bags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to the label
located on the inside of the fuse block cover for the
proper air bag fuses. See your authorized dealer if the
fuse is good.

Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air
bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle
is designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;

• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts

were buckled/fastened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the

accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.

These data can help provide a better understanding of
the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE:

EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by
the EDR under normal driving conditions and no per-
sonal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location)
are recorded. However, other parties, such as law en-
forcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a
crash investigation.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed.
In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties,
such as law enforcement, that have the special equip-
ment, can read the information if they have access to the
vehicle or the EDR.

Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.

Children 12 years or under should ride properly buckled
up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained in the rear
seats, rather than in the front.

There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large

enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner’s manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a projectile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child’s
size.

Infants And Child Restraints
Safety experts recommend that children ride rearward-
facing in the vehicle until they are two years old or until
they reach either the height or weight limit of their rear

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

facing child safety seat. Two types of child restraints can
be used rearward-facing: infant carriers and convertible
child seats.

The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children from birth until
they reach the weight or height limit of the infant carrier.
Convertible child seats can be used either rearward-
facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child
seats often have a higher weight limit in the rearward-
facing direction than infant carriers do, so they can be
used rearward-facing by children who have outgrown
their infant carrier but are still less than at least two years
old. Children should remain rearward-facing until they
reach the highest weight or height allowed by their
convertible child seat. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the
LATCH child restraint anchor system. Refer to “Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)”.

WARNING!

• Rearward-facing child seats must never be used in

the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
air bag. An air bag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:

• Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. The manufacturer also recommends that
you try a child restraint in the vehicle seats where you
will use it before you buy it.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s

weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.

• Carefully follow the instructions that come with the

restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.

• The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are

equipped with either an Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) or a cinching latch plate or both. Both types of
seat belts are designed to keep the lap portion of the
seat belt tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. The ALR will make a
ratcheting noise if you extract the entire belt from the
retractor and then allow the belt to retract into the
retractor. For additional information on ALR, refer to
“Automatic Locking Mode”.

• In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the

lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt
several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle with the release button facing out.

• If the belt still cannot be tightened, or if pulling and

pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.

• Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the

manufacturer’s instructions tell you.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in
the vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the
vehicle. Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a
sudden stop or accident, it could strike the occupants
or seatbacks and cause serious personal injury.

Older Children And Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown
their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-
facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and
convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc-
tion are for children who are over two years old or who
have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of
their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should
remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for
as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height
allowed by the child seat. These child seats are also held

in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH
child restraint anchorage system. Refer to “Lower An-
chors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)”.

All children whose weight or height is above the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belts
fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent over
the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is against
the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning booster
seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat are held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.

Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.

• Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug

as possible.

• Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or

slouching can move the belt out of position.

• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the

child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
the back.

NOTE:

For additional information, refer to

www.seatcheck.org or call 1–866–SEATCHECK. Cana-
dian residents should refer to Transport Canada’s web-
site for additional information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/
roadsafety/safedrivers/childsafety/index.htm

Installing The Child Restraint System
We urge you to carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Many,
but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with

separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector for attachment to the lower anchorage, and a
means for adjusting the tension of the strap. Forward-
facing toddler restraints and some rearward-facing infant
restraints will also be equipped with a tether strap having
a hook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage, and
a means for adjusting the tension of the strap.

In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
and tether straps so that you can more easily attach the
hook or connector to the lower and tether anchorages.
The tether strap should be routed under the center of the
head restraint and attached to the tether anchor on the
rear of the seatback. Then tighten all three straps as you
push the child restraint rearward and downward into the
seat.

Not all child restraint systems will be installed as we
have described here. Again, carefully follow the instruc-
tions that come with the child restraint system.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

If your child restraint seat is not LATCH-

compatible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat
belts.

WARNING!

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind the
child seat to secure a child restraint top tether strap.

Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)

The rear seating positions have lower anchor-
ages capable of accommodating LATCH-
compatible

child

seats

having

flexible,

webbing-mounted lower attachments and child

seats with fixed lower attachments. The rear seat lower
anchors can be readily identified by the symbol located on
the seatback directly above the anchorages and are just
visible when you lean into the rear seat to install the child

restraint. You will easily feel them if you run your finger
along the intersection of the seatback and seat cushion
surfaces. Regardless of the specific type of lower attach-
ment, never install LATCH-compatible child seats such
that two seats share a common lower anchorage.

The LATCH system provides for the installation of the
child restraint without using the vehicle’s seat belts,
instead securing the child restraint using lower anchor-
ages and upper tether straps from the child restraint to
the vehicle structure.

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchorages are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those anchorages will continue to
also have features for installation using the vehicle’s seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for
connection to the top tether anchorages have been avail-
able for some time. For some older child restraints, many

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

child restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether strap
kits or retro-fit kits. You are urged to take advantage of all
the available attachments provided with your child re-
straint in any vehicle.

NOTE:

When using the LATCH attaching system to

install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
an unattended child in the vehicle.

All three rear seating positions of the four-door model
have lower anchorages that are capable of accommodat-
ing LATCH-compatible child seats having flexible,
webbing-mounted lower attachments. The two-door
model can accommodate flexible LATCH-compatible
child seats in the two outboard seating positions only.
The two-door model does not have a center seating
position. Child seats with fixed lower attachments must
be installed in the outboard positions only in both the
two-door and four-door models. Regardless of the spe-
cific type of lower attachment, never install LATCH-
compatible child seats such that two seats share a com-
mon lower anchorage.

If you are installing LATCH-compatible child restraints
in adjacent rear seating positions, you can use the
LATCH anchors or the vehicle’s seat belt for the outboard
position, but you must use the vehicle’s seat belt at the
center position. If your child restraints are not LATCH-
compatible, you can only install the child restraints using

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

the vehicle’s seat belts. Please refer to “Installing Child
Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt” for typical instal-
lation instructions.

Installing The LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge you to carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
were provided with the child restraint system.

The rear seat lower anchorages are round bars,
located at the rear of the seat cushion where it
meets the seatback, and are visible when you
lean into the rear seat to install the child

restraint. You will easily feel them if you run your finger
along the intersection of the seatback and seat cushion
surfaces.

Latch Anchorages (Two-Door Models)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

In addition, there are tether strap anchorages behind each
rear seating position located on the back of the seat.

Latch Anchorages (Four-Door Models)

Tether Strap Mounting (Two-Door Models)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (2012 year). Instruction - part 5