Jeep Wrangler (2018 year). Manual — part 15

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Some of the most important safety features in your vehicle

are the restraint systems:

Occupant Restraint Systems Features

• Seat Belt Systems
• Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air Bags
• Child Restraints
Some of the safety features described in this section may be

standard equipment on some models, or may be optional

equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask your autho-

rized dealer.

Important Safety Precautions

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.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the

risk of harm from a deploying air bag:
1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride

buckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat.

2. If a child from 2 to 12 years old (not in a rear-facing child

restraint) must ride in the front passenger seat, move the

seat as far back as possible and use the proper child

restraint (refer to “Child Restraints” in this section for

further information).

3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle seat

belt properly (refer to “Child Restraints” in this section

for further information) should be secured in a vehicle

with a 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 a vehicle with a rear seat.

4. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind

them or under their arm.

5. You should read the instructions provided with your

child restraint to make sure that you are using it

properly.

6. All occupants should always wear their lap and shoul-

der belts properly.

7. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved

back as far as practical to allow the front air bags room

to inflate.

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8. Do not lean against the door or window. If your vehicle

has side air bags, and deployment occurs, the side air

bags will inflate forcefully into the space between occu-

pants and the door and occupants could be injured.

9. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified

to accommodate a disabled person, refer to the “Cus-

tomer Assistance” section for customer service contact

information.

WARNING!

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

air bag. A deploying passenger 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.

Seat Belt Systems

Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even on

short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor driver and

could 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 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.

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlert)

Driver and Passenger BeltAlert (if equipped)

BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the driver

and outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with

outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert) to buckle their

seat belts. The Belt Alert feature is active whenever the

ignition switch is in the START or ON/RUN position.

Initial Indication

If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition switch is first

in the START or ON/RUN position, a chime will signal for

a few seconds. If the driver or outboard front seat passen-

ger (if equipped with outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert) is unbuckled when the ignition switch is first in

the START or ON/RUN position the Seat Belt Reminder

Light will turn on and remain on until both outboard front

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seat belts are buckled. The outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert is not active when an outboard front passenger

seat is unoccupied.

BeltAlert Warning Sequence

The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated when the

vehicle is moving above a specified vehicle speed range

and the driver or outboard front seat passenger is unbuck-

led (if equipped with outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert) (the outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is

not active when the outboard front passenger seat is

unoccupied). The BeltAlert warning sequence starts by

blinking the Seat Belt Reminder Light and sounding an

intermittent chime. Once the BeltAlert warning sequence

has completed, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will remain on

until the seat belts are buckled. The BeltAlert warning

sequence may repeat based on vehicle speed until the

driver and occupied outboard front seat passenger seat

belts are buckled. The driver should instruct all occupants

to buckle their seat belts.

Change of Status

If the driver or outboard front seat passenger (if equipped

with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert) unbuckles

their seat belt while the vehicle is traveling, the BeltAlert

warning sequence will begin until the seat belts are buck-

led again.
The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is not active

when the outboard front passenger seat is unoccupied.

BeltAlert may be triggered when an animal or other items

are placed on the outboard front passenger seat or when

the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is recommended that

pets be restrained in the rear seat (if equipped) in pet

harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts, and

cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by your autho-

rized dealer. FCA US LLC does not recommend deactivat-

ing BeltAlert.

NOTE:

If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the driver or

outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with outboard

front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled the Seat Belt

Reminder Light will turn on and remain on until the driver

and outboard front seat passenger seat belts are buckled.

Lap/Shoulder Belts

All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with

lap/shoulder belts.

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The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only during very

sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the shoulder

part of the seat belt to move freely with you under normal

conditions. However, in a collision the seat belt will lock

and reduce your risk of striking the inside of the vehicle or

being thrown out of the vehicle.

WARNING!

• 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, the air bags won’t deploy at all. Always
wear your seat belt even though you have air bags.

• In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer

much greater injuries if you are not properly buckled
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.

• It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or

outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in
these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or
killed.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and

using a seat belt properly. Occupants, including the
driver, should always wear their seat belts whether
or not an air bag is also provided at their seating
position to minimize the risk of severe injury or
death in the event of a crash.

• Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could make your

injuries in a collision much worse. You might suffer
internal injuries, or you could even slide out of the
seat belt. Follow these instructions 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 an-
other in a collision, hurting one another badly. Never
use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt for more than one
person, no matter what their size.

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WARNING!

• A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of

injury in a collision. The seat belt forces won’t be at
the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap part of your seat belt
as low as possible and keep it snug.

• A twisted seat belt may not protect you properly. In

a collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure the seat
belt is flat against your body, without twists. If you
can’t straighten a seat belt in your vehicle, take it to
your authorized dealer immediately and have it
fixed.

• A seat 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 seat belt into the
buckle nearest you.

• A seat belt that is too loose will not protect you

properly. In a sudden stop, you could move too far
forward, increasing the possibility of injury. Wear
your seat belt snugly.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• A seat belt that is worn under your arm is dangerous.

Your body could strike the inside surfaces of the
vehicle in a collision, increasing head and neck
injury. A seat belt worn under the arm can cause
internal injuries. Ribs aren’t as strong as shoulder
bones. Wear the seat belt over your shoulder so that
your strongest bones will take the force in a collision.

• A shoulder belt placed behind you 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.

• A frayed or torn seat belt could rip apart in a collision

and leave you with no protection. Inspect the seat
belt system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or
loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced imme-
diately. Do not disassemble or modify the seat belt
system. Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision.

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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, and next to your arm in the rear seat (for vehicles

equipped with a rear seat). Grasp the latch plate and

pull out the seat belt. Slide the latch plate up the

webbing as far as necessary to allow the seat belt to go

around your lap.

3. When the seat belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch

plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”

4. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low across

your hips, 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 seat belt reduces the risk of

sliding under the seat belt in a collision.

Pulling Out The Latch Plate

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle

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5. Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and chest

with minimal, if any slack so that it is comfortable and

not resting on your neck. The retractor will withdraw

any slack in the shoulder belt.

6. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the

buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract to its

stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate down

the webbing to allow the seat belt to retract fully.

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 inches (15 to 30 cm) above the latch

plate, grasp and twist the seat 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 and the seat belt is no longer twisted.

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

In the driver and front passenger seats, the top of the

shoulder belt can be adjusted upward or downward to

position the seat belt away from your neck. Push or

squeeze the anchorage button to release the anchorage, and

move it up or down to the position that serves you best.

Positioning The Lap Belt

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As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will prefer

the shoulder belt anchorage in a lower position, and if you

are taller than average, you will prefer the shoulder belt

anchorage in a higher position. After you release the

anchorage button, try to move it up or down to make sure

that it is locked in position.

NOTE:

The adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage is

equipped with an Easy Up feature. This feature allows the

shoulder belt anchorage to be adjusted in the upward

position without pushing or squeezing the release button.

To verify the shoulder belt anchorage is latched, pull

downward on the shoulder belt anchorage until it is locked

into position.

WARNING!

• Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could make your

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

• Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and

chest with minimal, if any slack so that it is comfort-
able and not resting on your neck. The retractor will
withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.

• Misadjustment of the seat belt could reduce the

effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.

Adjustable Upper Anchorage

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Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is not long enough to fit properly, even when

the webbing is fully extended and the adjustable upper

shoulder belt anchorage (if equipped) is in its lowest

position, your authorized dealer can provide you with a

Seat Belt Extender. The Seat Belt Extender should be used

only if the existing seat belt is not long enough. When the

Seat Belt Extender is not required for a different occupant,

it must be removed.

WARNING!

• ONLY use a Seat Belt Extender if it is physically

required in order to properly fit the original seat belt
system. DO NOT USE the Seat Belt Extender if,
when worn, the distance between the front edge of
the Seat Belt Extender buckle and the center of the
occupant’s body is LESS than 6 inches.

• Using a Seat Belt Extender when not needed can

increase the risk of serious injury or death in a
collision. Only use the Seat Belt Extender when the
lap belt is not long enough and only use in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the Seat Belt Extender when not needed.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

Seat belts must be worn by all occupants including preg-

nant women: the risk of injury in the event of an accident

is reduced for the mother and the unborn child if they are

wearing a seat belt.
Position the lap belt snug and low below the abdomen and

across the strong bones of the hips. Place the shoulder belt

across the chest and away from the neck. Never place the

shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm.

Pregnant Women And Seat Belts

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Seat Belt Pretensioner

The front seat belt system is equipped with pretensioning

devices that are designed to remove slack from the seat belt

in the event of a collision. These devices may improve the

performance of the seat belt by removing slack from the

seat belt early 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.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC). Like the air bags, the pretensioners are

single use items. A deployed pretensioner or a deployed air

bag must be replaced immediately.

Energy Management Feature

The front seat belt system is equipped with an Energy

Management feature that may help further reduce the risk

of injury in the event of a collision. The seat belt system has

a retractor assembly that is designed to release webbing in

a controlled manner.

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

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 manual. The figure below illustrates the

locking feature for each seating position.

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

(Two-Door Models)

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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 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 occu-

pant’s mid-section. Slide the latch plate into the buckle

until you hear a

⬙click.⬙

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is automati-

cally 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 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.

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

(Four-Door Models)

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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.

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) lock-

ing 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 procedures
in the Service Manual.

• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly could in-

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

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)

Some of the safety features described in this section may be

standard equipment on some models, or may be optional

equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask your autho-

rized dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to protect you in a

collision. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) moni-

tors the internal circuits and interconnecting wiring asso-

ciated with the electrical Air Bag System Components.

Your vehicle may be equipped with the following Air Bag

System Components:

Air Bag System Components
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags

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• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
• Occupant Classification System

Air Bag Warning Light

The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of

the air bag system whenever the ignition switch

is in the START or ON/RUN position. If the

ignition switch is in the OFF position or in the

ACC position, 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 bag system even if the battery loses power or

it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in the

instrument panel for approximately four to eight seconds

for a self-check when the ignition switch is first in the

ON/RUN position. After the self-check, the Air Bag Warn-

ing 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 to alert you if the light comes on again after

initial startup.
The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the

instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is

detected that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-

tics also record the nature of the malfunction. 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 in

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.

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NOTE:

If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine

related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. In this condition

the air bags may not be ready to inflate for your protection.

Have an authorized dealer service the air bag system

immediately.

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instrument
panel could mean you won’t have the air bag system 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.

Redundant Air Bag Warning Light

If a fault with the Air Bag Warning Light is detected, which

could affect the Supplemental Restraint System

(SRS), the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light will

illuminate on the instrument panel. The Redun-

dant Air Bag Warning Light will stay on until the

fault is cleared. In addition, a single chime will sound to

alert you that the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light has

come on and a fault has been detected. If the Redundant

Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or remains

on while driving have an authorized dealer service the

vehicle immediately. For additional information regarding

the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light refer to “Getting To

Know Your Instrument Panel” section of this manual.

Front Air Bags

This vehicle has front air bags and lap/shoulder belts for

both the driver and front passenger. The front air bags are

a supplement to the seat belt restraint systems. The driver

front air bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel.

The passenger 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.

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WARNING!

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument

panel during 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.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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

air bag. A deploying passenger 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.

Driver And Passenger 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 deter-

mined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), which

may receive information from the front impact sensors (if

equipped) 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 a driver and/or front

passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether the

Front Air Bag/Knee Impact Bolster Locations

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

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driver or front passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat belt

buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the Ad-

vanced Front Air Bags.
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 has an Occupant Classification System

(“OCS”) in the front passenger seat. The OCS is designed to

activate or deactivate the Passenger Advanced Front Air

Bag depending on the occupant’s seated weight. It is

designed to deactivate the Passenger Advanced Front Air

Bag for an unoccupied seat and for occupants whose seated

weight classifies them in a category other than a properly

seated adult. This could be a child, teenager, or even an

adult.
The Passenger Air Bag Disable (“PAD”) Indicator Light (an

amber light located on the overhead sports bar) tells the

driver and front passenger when the Passenger Advanced

Front Air Bag is deactivated. The PAD Indicator Light

illuminates the words “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” to

show that the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will not

deploy during a collision.

NOTE:

When the front passenger seat is empty or when

very light objects are placed on the seat, the Passenger

Advanced Front Air Bag will not deploy even though the

Passenger Air Bag Disable (PAD) System Indicator Light is

NOT illuminated.

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 bag to
inflate.

• Do not put anything on or around the air bag covers

or attempt to open them manually. You may damage
the air bags and you could be injured because the air
bags may no longer be functional. 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. Always wear
your seat belts even though you have air bags.

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