Dodge Neon (2005 year). Instruction

3. To reassemble the transmitter case, snap two halves
together. Make sure there is an even gap between the two
halves. Test transmitter operation.

VEHICLE THEFT ALARM — IF EQUIPPED

The system monitors the doors, trunk key cylinder (Fleet
Vehicles Only)

, trunk latch (Regular Production Ve-

hicles Only)

, and ignition for unauthorized operation.

If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
about 18 minutes. For the first 3 minutes the horn will
sound and the headlights, park/turn signal lights, tail
lights and the indicator light in the cluster will flash.
Then the exterior lights will flash for another 15 minutes.

If the monitored system which triggered the alarm is
deactivated, the alarm will continue to sound until 3
minutes of alarm time is reached. If the monitored system
which triggered the alarm is deactivated after the alarm
has been on for 3 minutes, the alarm will shut off
immediately.

To set the alarm:

1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.

2. Lock the door using either the door key, power door
lock switch, or the Keyless Entry Transmitter and close all
doors.

3. The indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash
rapidly for 16 seconds. This shows that the system is
arming. During this period, if a door is opened, the
ignition switch is turned on, or the power door locks are
unlocked in any manner, the system will automatically
disarm. If the light comes on but does not flash, the
system is arming but there is a problem in the trunk
circuit. After 16 seconds the indicator light will flash
slowly. This shows that the system is fully armed.

Vehicles equipped with the Sentry Key Immobilizer
System can be safely started with a valid key. A valid key
is one that is programmed to that particular vehicle. A
valid key will disarm the system, an invalid key will
trigger the alarm.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

With the system armed on vehicles built for

Fleet Service

, the trunk can be opened with the key

without sounding the Theft Alarm. With the system
armed on Regular Production Vehicles , opening the
trunk with the key will cause the Theft Alarm to sound.

To disarm the system:

Unlock a front door using either the key or the Keyless
Entry Transmitter.

Starting the vehicle with a valid Sentry key will disarm
the system.

Tamper Alert
If the horn sounds 3 times when you unlock a front door
using either a key or the Keyless Entry Transmitter, the
alarm has been activated. Check the vehicle for tamper-
ing.

Security System Instruction Override

The system will not arm if you lock the doors using the
instruction lock control.

POWER WINDOWS — IF EQUIPPED

The window switches on the driver’s door panel control
both front windows. The switch on the passenger’s door
panel controls the passenger’s window.

Power Window Switches

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS

Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. These include the front
and rear seat belts for the driver and all passengers, front
airbags for both the driver and front passenger and side
airbags for both the driver and front passenger. If you
will be carrying children too small for adult-size belts,
your seat belts also can be used to hold infant and child
restraint systems.

Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.

WARNING!

In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buck-
led up. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or
other passengers, or you can be thrown out of the
vehicle. Always be sure you and others in your
vehicle are buckled up properly.

Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor driver
and cause a collision that includes you. This can happen
far away from home or on your own street.

Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and that
they can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision.
Some of the worst injuries happen when people are
thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibility
of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking the
inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle should
be belted at all times.

Lap/Shoulder Belts

All the seats in your vehicle are equipped with Lap/
Shoulder Belts.

The belt webbing retractor is designed to lock during
very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the belt to move freely with you under
normal conditions. But in a collision, the belt will lock
and reduce your risk of striking the inside of the vehicle
or being thrown out.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Wearing a seat belt incorrectly is dangerous. Seat

belts are designed to go around the large bones of
your body. These are the strongest parts of your
body and can take the forces of a collision the
best.

• Wearing your belt in the wrong place could make

your injuries in a collision much worse. You
might suffer internal injuries, or you could even
slide out of part of the belt. Follow these instruc-
tions to wear your seat belt safely and to keep
your passengers safe, too.

• Two people should never be belted into a single

seat belt. People belted together can crash into one
another in an accident, hurting one another badly.
Never use a lap/shoulder belt or lap belt for more
than one person, no matter what their size.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions

1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.

2. The seat belt latch plate is above the back of the front
seat, next to your arm in the rear seat. Grasp the latch
plate and pull out the belt. Slide the latch plate up the
webbing as far as necessary to allow the belt to go around
your lap.

Latch Plate

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”

WARNING!

• A belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will not
protect you properly. The lap portion could ride too
high on your body, possibly causing internal injuries.
Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.
• A belt that is too loose will not protect you as well.
In a sudden stop you could move too far forward,
increasing the possibility of injury. Wear your seat
belt snugly.
• A belt that is worn under your arm is very
dangerous. Your body could strike the inside sur-
faces of the vehicle in a collision, increasing head
and neck injury. A belt worn under the arm can cause
internal injuries. Ribs aren’t as strong as shoulder
bones. Wear the belt over your shoulder so that your
strongest bones will take the force in a collision.
• A shoulder belt placed behind will not protect you
from injury during a collision. You are more likely to
hit your head in a collision if you do not wear your
shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder belt are meant to
be used together.

Latch Plate To Buckle

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

4. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your
abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt portion, pull up
on the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight,
tilt the latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug belt
reduces the risk of sliding under the belt in a collision.

WARNING!

• A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
internal injury in a collision. The belt forces won’t
be at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as low as pos-
sible and keep it snug.
• A twisted belt can’t do its job as well. In a collision
it could even cut into you. Be sure the belt is straight.
If you can’t straighten a belt in your vehicle, take it
to your dealer and have it fixed.

5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.

6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
The belt will automatically retract to its stowed position.
If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to
allow the belt to retract fully.

Removing Slack From Belt

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision
and leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt
system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose
parts. Damaged parts must be replaced immediately.
Do not disassemble or modify the system. Front seat
belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision.
Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.).

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

In the driver and front passenger seats, the shoulder belt
can be adjusted upward or downward to position the belt
away from your neck. Push up or down on the anchorage
button to release the anchorage, and then move it up or
down to the position that serves you best.

As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will
prefer a lower position, and if you are taller than average,
you’ll prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage, try to move it up or down to make sure that
it is locked in position.

Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure

Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted lap/
shoulder belt.

1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the
anchor point.

Twisted Seat Belt

Positioning Latch Plate

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

2. At about 6 to 12 inches above the latch plate, grasp and
twist the belt webbing 180° to create a fold that begins
immediately above the latch plate.

3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded webbing.
The folded webbing must enter the slot at the top of the
latch plate.

4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it clears the
folded webbing.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.

Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.

Creating A Fold

Sliding The Latch Plate

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.

Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if
equipped) is in its lowest position, your dealer can
provide you with a seat belt extender. This extender
should be used only if the existing belt is not long
enough. When it is not required, remove the extender
and store it.

WARNING!

Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is
worn low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.

Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags

This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.

Front Airbag Components

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

The front airbags are certified to the Federal

regulations that allow less forceful deployment.

If the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, they are
located inside the driver and front passenger seats, and
their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.

NOTE:

Airbag covers may not be obvious in the

interior trim; but they will open to allow airbag deploy-
ment.

WARNING!

• Do not put anything on or around the front airbag

covers or attempt to instructionly open them. You
may damage the airbags and you could be injured
because the airbags are not there to protect you.
These protective covers for the airbag cushions are
designed to open only when the airbags are in-
flating.

• If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, do

not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the side airbags; the perfor-
mance could be adversely affected and/or objects
could be pushed into you, causing serious injury.

• If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, do

not attach cup holders or any other objects on or
around the door. The inflating side airbag could
drive the objects into occupants, causing serious
injury.

Side Airbags

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instru-
ment panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection
for the driver and front passenger. Side airbags 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. If your vehicle is equipped, the
side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in
moderate to severe side collisions. In certain types of
collisions, both the front and side airbags may be trig-
gered. But even in collisions where the airbags work, you
need the seat belts to keep you in the right position for
the airbags to protect you properly.

Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag.

1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.

Infants in rear facing child restraints (designed for chil-
dren up to 20 lbs (9 kg) and less than one year old) should

NEVER

ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passen-

ger front airbag. An airbag deployment could cause
severe injury or death to infants in that position.

Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see Section on Child Restraints) should
be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats. Older children who do not use
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should
ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow
children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under
their arm.

If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See the section on Child Restraint.

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.

2. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front airbags
room to inflate.

4. If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against
the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.

WARNING!

• Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more

severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work with
your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some
collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all. Always
wear your seat belts even though you have airbags.

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-

ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.

• If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need

room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.

Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:

• Airbag Control Module (ACM)
• AIRBAG Readiness Light
• Driver Airbag
• Passenger Airbag
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Crash Sensor
• Interconnecting Wiring
• Knee Impact Bolsters

The side airbag system, if equipped, consists of the
following:

• AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front airbag

system)

• Side Airbag in the Driver’s Seat
• Side Airbag in the Passenger’s Seat

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Right and Left Side Impact Airbag Control Modules

(SIACM)

• Interconnecting Wiring

How The Airbag System Works
Front Airbag System

• The front Airbag Control Module determines if a

frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate.

• The Airbag Control Module is not designed to detect

side, roll over, or rear collisions.

• The Airbag Control Module also monitors the readi-

ness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON/RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition switch, the
airbags are not on and will not inflate.

• The Airbag Control Module also turns on the AIRBAG

light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when
the ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN, then
turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it turns on the light either momen-
tarily or continuously.

Airbag Light

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The
airbags fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is
only about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. The airbags then quickly deflate while helping to
restrain the driver and front passenger. The driver’s
front airbag gas is vented through the airbag material
towards the instrument panel. The passenger’s front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.

• The knee impact bolsters help protect the knees and

position you for the best interaction with the front
airbag.

If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the Airbag
Control Module detects a moderate-to-severe frontal
collision, to help restrain the driver and front passenger,
and then to immediately deflate.

NOTE:

A frontal collision that is not severe enough to

need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.

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

• The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-

sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

However, if you have not healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.

• As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like

particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
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 instruc-
tions for cleaning.

• It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the

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

WARNING!

Deployed airbags can’t protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.

Side Airbag System — If Equipped

• The Side Impact Airbag Control Modules determine if

a side collision is severe enough to require the airbag
to inflate. The Side Impact Airbag Control Modules is
not designed to detect roll over, front, or rear impacts.

• The Side Impact Airbag Control Module monitors the

readiness of the electronic parts of the system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the START or ON/RUN
positions. These include all of the items listed above. If
the left or right SIACM detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it will send a message to the frontal
ACM to turn the Airbag Light on. The Airbag Control
Module also turns on the AIRBAG light in the instru-
ment panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch
is first turned on as a diagnostic or system check, then
turns the light off.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Neon (2005 year). Instruction - part 2