Dodge Dart (2016 year). Instruction

The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC). Like the air bags, the preten-
sioners are single use items. A deployed pretensioner or
a deployed air bag must be replaced immediately.

Energy Management Feature

This vehicle has a seat belt system with an Energy
Management feature in the front seating positions that
may help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of
a collision. This seat belt system has a retractor assembly
that is designed to release webbing in a controlled
manner.

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) —
If Equipped

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) which is used to secure a child restraint system.
For additional information, refer to “Installing Child
Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt” under the “Child

Restraints” section of this instruction. The table below
defines the type of feature for each seating position.

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an
ALR and is being used for normal usage, only pull the
seat belt webbing out far enough to comfortably wrap

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

around the occupant’s mid-section so as to not activate
the ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a clicking
sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow the webbing to
retract completely in this case and then carefully pull out
only the amount of webbing necessary to comfortably
wrap around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a

⬙click.⬙

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is auto-
matically pre-locked. The seat belt will still retract to
remove any slack in the shoulder belt. Use the Automatic
Locking Mode anytime a child restraint is installed in a
seating position that has a seat belt with this feature.
Children 12 years old and under should always be
properly restrained in a vehicle with a rear seat.

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of

an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag can cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until

the entire seat belt is extracted.

3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat belt retracts,

you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the seat
belt is now in the Automatic Locking Mode.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode

Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it
to retract completely to disengage the Automatic Locking
Mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode.

WARNING!

• The seat belt assembly must be replaced if the

switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) fea-
ture or any other seat belt function is not working
properly when checked according to the proce-
dures in the Service Instruction.

• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly could

increase the risk of injury in collisions.

• Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode to restrain

occupants who are wearing the seat belt or children
who are using booster seats. The locked mode is

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

only used to install rear-facing or forward-facing
child restraints that have a harness for restraining
the child.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

Air Bag System Components

Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Advanced Front Air Bags

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Supplemental Knee Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Seat Track Position Sensors
• Occupant Classification System

Advanced Front Air Bags

This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver’s Advanced Front Air
Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger’s Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” are embossed on
the air bag covers.

Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations

1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bags
2 — Supplemental Driver And Passenger Knee Air Bags/Driver
And Passenger Knee Impact Bolsters

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument

panel during Advanced Front Air Bag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air
bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably
extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel.

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of

an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag can cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

Advanced Front Air Bag Features

The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system provides

output appropriate to the severity and type of collision as
determined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC),
which may receive information from the front impact
sensors or other system components.

The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. A low energy
output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy
output is used for more severe collisions.

This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust the
inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based upon
seat position.

This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat
belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the
Advanced Front Air Bags.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Advanced Air Bag Features

This vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger
Occupant Classification System (“OCS”) that is designed
to provide Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag output
appropriate to the occupant’s seated weight input, as
determined by the OCS.

WARNING!

• No objects should be placed over or near the air

bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel,
because any such objects could cause harm if the
vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the
air bags to inflate.

• Do not put anything on or around the air bag

covers or attempt to open them instructionly. You may
damage the air bags and you could be injured
because the air bags may no longer be functional.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

The protective covers for the air bag cushions are
designed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.

• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more

severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all. Al-
ways wear your seat belts even though you have air
bags.

Advanced Front Air Bag Operation

Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide addi-
tional protection by supplementing the seat belts. Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags are not expected to reduce the risk
of injury in rear, side, or rollover collisions. The Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all frontal
collisions, including some that may produce substantial

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

vehicle damage — for example, some pole collisions,
truck underrides, and angle offset collisions.

On the other hand, depending on the type and location of
impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a
severe initial deceleration.

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 colli-
sions, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.

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.

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 Advanced
Front Air Bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.

Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front
Passenger Seat

The OCS is part of a Federally regulated safety system for
this vehicle. It is designed to provide Passenger Ad-
vanced Front Air Bag output appropriate to the occu-
pant’s seated weight, as determined by the OCS.

The Occupant Classification System (OCS) consists of the
following:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Occupant Classification Module (OCM) and Sensor

located in the front passenger seat

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Air Bag Warning Light

Occupant Classification Module (OCM) and Sensor

The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
underneath the front passenger seat. The Sensor is lo-
cated beneath the passenger seat cushion foam. Any
weight on the seat will be sensed by the Sensor. The OCM
uses input from the Sensor to determine the front pas-
senger’s most probable classification. The OCM commu-
nicates this information to the ORC. The ORC may
reduce the inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag deployment based on occupant classification. In
order for the OCS to operate as designed, it is important
for the front passenger to be seated properly and prop-
erly wearing the seat belt.

The OCS will NOT prevent deployment of the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag. The OCS may reduce the
inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag if
the OCS estimates that:

• The front passenger seat is unoccupied or has very

light objects on it; or

• The front passenger seat is occupied by a small pas-

senger, including a child; or

• The front passenger seat is occupied by a rear-facing

child restraint; or

• The front passenger is not properly seated or his or her

weight is taken off of the seat for a period of time.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Front Passenger Seat Oc-

cupant Status

Front Passenger Air

Bag Output

Rear-facing child restraint

Reduced-power de-
ployment

Child, including a child in
a forward-facing child re-
straint or booster seat*

Reduced-power de-
ployment OR Full-
power deployment

Properly seated adult

Full-power deployment
OR reduced-power de-
ployment

Unoccupied seat

Reduced-power de-
ployment

* It is possible for a child to be classified as an adult,
allowing a full-power Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
deployment. Never allow children to ride in the front
passenger seat and never install a child restraint system,
including a rear-facing child restraint, in the front pas-
senger seat.

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of

an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag can cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

• Children 12 years or younger should always ride

buckled up in a rear seat.

The OCS determines the front passenger’s most probable
classification. The OCS estimates the seated weight on
the front passenger seat and where that weight is located.
The OCS communicates the classification status to the
ORC. The ORC uses the classification to determine
whether the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag inflation
rate should be adjusted.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

In order for the OCS to operate as designed, it is
important for the front passenger to be seated properly
and properly wearing the seat belt. Properly seated
passengers are:

• Sitting upright
• Facing forward
• Sitting in the center of the seat with their feet comfort-

ably on or near the floor

• Sitting with their back against the seatback and the

seatback in an upright position

Lighter Weight Passengers (Including Small Adults)

When a lighter weight passenger, including a small adult,
occupies the front passenger seat, the OCS may reduce
the inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced Front Air
Bag. This does not mean that the OCS is working
improperly.

Seated Properly

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Do not decrease OR increase the front passenger’s
seated weight on the front passenger seat

The front passenger’s seated weight must be properly
positioned on the front passenger seat. Failure to do so
may result in serious injury or death. The OCS deter-
mines the most probable classification of the occupant
that it detects.

The OCS will detect the front passenger’s decreased or
increased seated weight, which may result in an adjusted
inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag in
a collision. This does not mean that the OCS is working
improperly.

Decreasing the front passenger’s seated weight on the
front passenger seat may result in a reduced-power
deployment of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag.
Increasing the front passenger’s seated weight on the
front passenger seat may result in a full-power deploy-
ment of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag.

Examples of improper front passenger seating include:

• The front passenger’s weight is transferred to another

part of the vehicle (like the door, arm rest or instru-
ment panel).

• The front passenger leans forward, sideways, or turns

to face the rear of the vehicle.

• The front passenger’s seatback is not in the full upright

position.

• The front passenger carries or holds an object while

seated (e.g., backpack, box, etc.).

• Objects are lodged under the front passenger seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Objects are lodged between the front passenger seat

and center console.

• Accessories that may change the seated weight on the

front passenger seat are attached to the front passenger
seat.

• Anything that may decrease or increase the front

passenger’s seated weight.

The OCS determines the front passenger’s most probable
classification. If an occupant in the front passenger seat is
seated improperly, the occupant may provide an output
signal to the OCS that is different from the occupant’s
properly seated weight input, for example:

Not Seated Properly

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• If an occupant in the front passenger seat is seated

improperly, the occupant may provide an output
signal to the OCS that is different from the occu-
pant’s properly seated weight input. This may
result in serious injury or death in a collision.

• Always wear your seat belt and sit properly, with

the seatback in an upright position, your back
against the seatback, sitting upright, facing for-
ward, in the center of the seat, with your feet
comfortably on or near the floor.

• Do not carry or hold any objects (e.g., backpacks,

boxes, etc.) while seated in the front passenger seat.
Holding an object may provide an output signal to
the OCS that is different than the occupant’s prop-
erly seated weight input, which may result in
serious injury or death in a collision.

(Continued)

Not Seated Properly

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• Placing an object on the floor under the front

passenger seat may prevent the OCS from working
properly, which may result in serious injury or
death in a collision. Do not place any objects on the
floor under the front passenger seat.

The Air Bag Warning Light

in the instrument panel

will turn on whenever the OCS is unable to classify the
front passenger seat status. A malfunction in the OCS
may affect the operation of the air bag system.

If the Air Bag Warning Light

does not come on, or

stays on after you start the vehicle, or it comes on as
you drive, take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service immediately.

The passenger seat assembly contains critical OCS com-
ponents that may affect the Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag inflation. In order for the OCS to properly

classify the seated weight of a front seat passenger, the
OCS components must function as designed.

Do not make any modifications to the front passenger
seat components, assembly, or to the seat cover. If the
seat, trim cover, or cushion needs service for any reason,
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only FCA LLC
approved seat accessories may be used.

The following requirements must be strictly followed:

• Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or

components in any way.

• Do not use prior or future model year seat covers or

cushions not designated by FCA US LLC for the
specific model being repaired. Always use the correct
seat cover and cushion specified for the vehicle.

• Do not replace the seat cover or cushion with an

aftermarket seat cover or cushion.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Do not add a secondary seat cover or mat.
• At no time should any Supplemental Restraint System

(SRS) component or SRS related component or fastener
be modified or replaced with any part except those
which are approved by FCA US LLC.

WARNING!

Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the passenger seat assembly, its related components,
seat cover or cushion may inadvertently change the
air bag deployment in case of a frontal collision. This
could result in death or serious injury to the front
passenger if the vehicle is involved in a collision. A
modified vehicle may not comply with required
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
and/or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(CMVSS).

Flip ’n Stow Front Passenger Seat Storage

The front passenger seat is equipped with Flip ’n Stow
Front Passenger Seat Storage (refer to “Understanding
The Features Of Your Vehicle” for additional informa-
tion). Make sure that objects inside the Flip ’n Stow Front
Passenger Seat Storage bin do not interfere with the latch
before closing the seat. In addition, after closing the Front
Passenger Seat Storage bin, make sure the front passen-
ger seat cushion is pushed downward and fully latched
to the base. Over-stuffing the storage bin may result in
the OCS inaccurately classifying the front passenger’s
seated weight.

WARNING!

Make sure that objects inside the Flip ’n Stow Front
Passenger Seat Storage bin do not interfere with the
latch before closing the seat. In addition, after closing

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Dart (2016 year). Instruction - part 4