Dodge Magnum SRT (2008 year). Manual

WARNING!

The rear center lap/shoulder belt is equipped with a
lock-out feature to ensure that the rear seatback is in
the fully upright and locked position when occupied.
If the rear seatback is not fully upright and locked
and the rear center lap/shoulder belt can be pulled
out of the retractor, the vehicle should immediately
be taken to your dealer for service. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious or fatal injury.

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 and fully depress the button
above the webbing to release the anchorage, then move it
up or down to the position that fits you best.

NOTE:

When the shoulder belt is adjusted to the full

downward position, it will not be at the bottom of the slot
in the Trim Panel. This is normal and the intended lowest
position.

Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

In the rear seat, move toward the center of the seat to
position the belt away from your neck.

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.

2. At about 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate,
grasp and twist the belt webbing 180 degrees 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 Belt Pretensioners
The seat belts for both front seating positions are
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to
remove any slack from the seat belts in the event of a
collision. These devices improve the performance of the
seat belt system by assuring that the belt is tight around
the occupant in a collision. Pretensioners work for all size
occupants, including those in child restraints.

NOTE:

These devices are not a substitute for proper seat

belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC). (Refer to information on Air-
bags in this section). Like the front airbags, the preten-
sioners are single use items. After a collision that is severe
enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners, both
must be replaced.

Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert

姞)

If the driver’s seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert

威) will alert the driver to buckle the seat

belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to
buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered, the
BeltAlert

威 will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt

Reminder Light for 96 seconds or until the driver’s seat
belt is buckled. The BeltAlert

威 will be reactivated if the

driver’s seat belt is unbuckled for more than 10 seconds
and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).

BeltAlert

威 Programming

The BeltAlert

威 can be enabled or disabled by your

authorized dealer or by performing the following steps:

NOTE:

DaimlerChrysler does not recommend deacti-

vating the BeltAlert

威.

1. With all doors closed, and the ignition switch in any
position except ON or START, buckle the driver’s seat
belt.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
start the engine. Wait for the Seat Belt Reminder Light to
turn off and then proceed to the next step.

NOTE:

You must perform the following steps within 60

seconds of turning the ignition switch to the ON position.

3. Within 60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the
ON position, unbuckle and then re-buckle the driver’s
seat belt at least three times within 10 seconds, ending
with the seat belt buckled.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

Watch for the Seat Belt Reminder Light to turn

on while unbuckling the seat belt and turn off while
re-buckling the seat belt. It may be necessary to retract
the seat belt.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position. A
single chime will sound to signify that you have success-
fully completed the programming.

The BeltAlert

威 can be reactivated by repeating this pro-

cedure.

NOTE:

When the BeltAlert

威 is deactivated, the Seat Belt

Reminder Light will continue to illuminate as long as the
driver’s seat belt is unbuckled.

Automatic Locking Mode — If Equipped
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-
locked. However, the belt will still retract to remove slack
in the shoulder belt. Use The Automatic Locking mode
any time a child safety seat is installed in a seating

position that has a seat belt with this feature. Seat belts
that have the Automatic Locking mode feature have a
distinctive label on the webbing. Children 12 years old
and younger should be properly restrained in the rear
seat whenever possible.

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 belt is extracted.

3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will
here a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is
now in the Automatic Locking mode.

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap and shoulder belt and
allow it to retract completely to disengage the Automatic
Locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer-
gency) locking mode.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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 so
equipped) is in its lowest position, your authorized
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 ex-
tender 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 posi-
tions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.

Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s airbag is mounted in the center of
the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag is

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.

NOTE:

The front airbags are certified to the Federal

regulations that allow less forceful deployment.

The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity.

Front Airbag Components

1 — Airbags
2 — Knee Bolsters

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Do not put anything on or around the front airbag

covers or attempt to open them. You may damage
the airbags and you could be injured because the
airbags are no longer functional. These protective
covers for the airbag cushions are designed to
open only when the airbags are inflating.

• Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in

any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster

such as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios
etc.

This vehicle may also be equipped with supplemental
side curtain airbags to protect the driver and passengers
sitting next to a window and/or supplemental front seat
mounted side airbags.

If the vehicle is equipped with supplemental side curtain
airbags, they are located above the side windows. 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 deployment.

Window Airbag

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the vehicle is equipped with supplemental front seat
mounted side airbags, they are marked with an SRS label
sewn into the outboard side of the seat.

WARNING!

• If your vehicle is equipped with supplemental front seat

mounted side airbags, do not use accessory seat covers or
place objects between you and the seat 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 supplemental front seat

mounted side airbags, do not attach cupholders or any other
objects on or around the door. The inflating seat airbag could
drive the object into occupants, causing serious injury.

• If your vehicle is equipped with supplemental side curtain

airbags, do not stack luggage or other cargo up high enough
to block the location of the side curtain airbag. The area
where the side curtain airbag is located should remain free
from any obstructions.

• If your vehicle is equipped with supplemental side curtain

airbags, 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 curtain airbags.

Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved
protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain
and seat airbags also work with seat belts to improve
occupant protection.

While the seat belts are designed to protect you in many
types of collisions, the front airbags will deploy in
moderate to severe frontal collisions. For vehicles so
equipped, the supplemental side curtain airbag and front
seat mounted side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle
will also trigger in moderate to severe side collisions.
However, even in collisions where the airbags deploy,
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 take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.

1. Children 12 years old and younger should ride buck-
led up in the rear seat.

WARNING!

Infants in rear-facing child restraints should NEVER
ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger
front airbag. An airbag deployment could cause
severe injury or death to infants in that position.

2. Children who are not big enough to wear the vehicle
seat belt properly should be secured in the rear seat in
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats. (Refer to
information on Child Restraint in this section.)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Older children who do not use child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats should ride properly buck-
led up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.

4. 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. (Refer to information on Child Restraint in this
section.)

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

6. All occupants should use their seat belts properly.

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

8. If your vehicle has supplemental side curtain airbags
and/or supplemental front seat mounted side airbags, do
not lean against the door, as airbags will inflate forcefully
into the space between you and the door.

9. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided in the

⬙If

You Need Customer Assistance

⬙ section.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 instrument

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

• If the vehicle has supplemental side curtain air-

bags and/or supplemental front seat mounted side
airbags, they also need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Side Remote Acceleration Sensors (if equipped)
• Airbag Warning Light
• Driver Airbag
• Front Passenger Airbag
• Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags above side win-

dows (if equipped)

• Supplemental Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags (if

equipped)

• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Interconnecting Wiring

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Seat Belt Reminder Light
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Front Acceleration Sensors
• Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners

How the Airbag System Works

• The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines

if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC will not
detect rollover.

• For vehicles so equipped, the ORC also determines if a

side impact is severe enough to deploy the supple-
mental side curtain airbag and/or supplemental front
seat mounted side airbag, as required for each type of
impact.

• 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 knee bolster, the instru-
ment 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 they will
not inflate.

• The ORC also turns on the Airbag Warning

Light in the instrument panel for six to eight
seconds as a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the

Airbag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC detects
a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the
Airbag Warning Light either momentarily or continu-
ously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial start-up.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Ignoring the AIRBAG Warning Light in your instru-
ment 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.

• The Driver and Front Passenger Airbag/Inflator

Units

are located in the center of the steering wheel

and the passenger side of the instrument panel. When
the ORC detects a collision requiring the airbags, it
signals the inflator units. A large quantity of nontoxic
gas is generated to inflate the front airbags. Different
airbag inflation rates may be possible based on colli-
sion severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and
the upper passenger side of the instrument panel

separate and fold out of the way as the bags inflate to
their full size. The bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70
ms. This is about half of the time that it takes to blink
your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while helping
to restrain the driver and front passenger. The driver’s
front airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the
sides of the airbag. 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 of

the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.

• The Supplemental Side Impact SRS Side Curtain

Airbags

are designed to activate only in certain side

collisions. When the ORC (with side impact option)
detects a collision requiring the side curtain airbag to
inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the side curtain airbag. The inflating side cur-
tain airbag pushes the outside edge of the headliner
out of the way and covers the window. The airbag
inflates in about 30 ms (about one-quarter of the time
that it takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to
injure you if you are not belted and seated properly, or
if items are positioned in the area where the side
curtain airbag inflates. This especially applies to chil-
dren. The side curtain airbag is only about 3-1/2 in (9
cm) thick when it is inflated.

• The Supplemental Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags

are designed to activate only in certain side collisions.
When the ORC (with side impact option) detects a
collision requiring the front seat mounted side airbag
to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the
vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front seat mounted side airbag. The inflat-
ing front seat mounted side airbag pushes through the

seam in the seat’s trim cover and opens into the space
between the occupant and the door. The airbag inflates
at a very high speed and with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the front seat
mounted side airbag inflates. This especially applies to
children.

The following requirements must be strictly adhered
to:

• Do not make any modifications to the front seat

components, assembly, or to the seat cover in any
way.

• Do not use prior or future model year seat covers

not designated for the specific model being re-
paired. Always use the correct seat cover specified
for the vehicle.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket

seat cover.

• Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those

approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar

威.

• At no time should any supplemental restraint sys-

tem (SRS) component or SRS-related component or
fastener be modified or replaced with any part
except

those

which

are

approved

DaimlerChrysler/Mopar

威.

WARNING!

Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the front seat assembly, its related components, or
seat cover may inadvertently change the airbag de-
ployment in case of a frontal crash. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver or front seat
passenger if the vehicle is involved in an accident. A
modified vehicle may not comply with required
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

If a Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the ORC
detects a moderate to severe collision to help restrain the
driver and front passenger and then to immediately
deflate.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 that 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.
However, if you haven’t 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 been 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Magnum SRT (2008 year). Manual - part 3