Air Bag Systems

Driver Air Bag System*
The standard driver air bag is similar to that used on Dakota. It is an important element in a restraint system that includes the steering wheel, steering column, a seat belt system (which must always be worn), Instrumentpanel knee blocker, and the vehicle structure. These elements combine to manage crash energy. Combined, they provide the driver with the maximum available crash protection.

The driver air bag has a conventional pyrotechnic inflation system using the newest technology to produce a smaller, lighter module than prior systems. To reduce deployment noise, the inflator's size is consistent with the cab's interior volume. The module's lightweight aluminum housing has a multi-layer filter system to help contain any particulate matter that may be a by-product of the combustion process.

The bag and inflator are concealed beneath a molded steering wheel cover.The cover tears along a hidden seam as the bag deploys. It is made from controlled-porosity fabric that provides a smooth, even decompression of the bag after deployment by allowing the inflating gasses to disperse through its surface. The porous fabric is less bulky than the coated fabric used in some prior systems to facilitate a compact steering wheel cover

When the driver contacts the air bag, the steering wheel absorbs and distributes the load to the steering column. Subtle variations in cross-sectional shape and material thickness of the Dakota wheel's die-cast aluminum armature,developed through the use of computerized finite element analysis, ensure efficient load distribution. The steering column reacts with the body structure,deforming to absorb some energy, transferring some in the process. A telescoping intermediate steering shaft assembly collapses during impact to avoid transmitting impact forces from the frame to the steering column.

The knee blocker is also the steering column lower cover. It derives its impact-absorbing characteristics from an intensively developed honeycomb structure molded into the back of the polycarbonate-ABS blend cover - the same material from which the panel structure is formed.

Passenger Air Bag System*
The standard passenger air bag is similar to that used on Dakota. The air bag system uses a hybrid inflator containing a small amount of pyrotechnic material to trigger the release of compressed nitrogen which is the primary inflator. As with the driver air bag, the passenger air bag is made of controlled-porosity fabric.

The passenger air bag module is mounted directly on the instrument panel's molded plastic structural retainer. It is concealed by a molded door that follows a character line in the panel surface. The door is made of TEO (thermoelasticolefin) with a "living" hinge along the top edge and a tear seam at the bottom to allow air bag deployment. An SRS logo molded into the cover indicates the air bag's presence.

The passenger air bag works in conjunction with a knee blocker and the Unibelt active restraint system, which must always be worn, to provide added collision protection for the front seat passenger. The knee blocker is also the glove compartment door. It derives its impact-absorbing characteristics from the same type of lightweight honeycomb structure as the steering column lower cover. The loads are transferred from the door to the structural retainer by steel brackets at the sides of the glove compartment opening.

Air Bag Electronic Module
A centrally located electronic module controls and monitors the driver and front passenger air bags. Both air bags deploy simultaneously during a severe frontal impact. The electronic module includes operating electronics, a collision detection sensor and system diagnostics.

A single piezo-capacitive accelerometer in the electronic module discriminates between collisions of sufficient magnitude to warrant air bag deployment and minor bumps or normal operating conditions. The control system and sensors have been tested under severe conditions including off-highway operation to ensure deployment of the air bag when needed and prevent inadvertent deployment when not. The module is mounted on the floor pan tunnel for easy service access.

The diagnostic module activates the instrument cluster AIR BAG warning indicator in the event of a system malfunction and stores diagnostic codes for access by a scan tool. The module transmits the warning indicator signal and diagnostic codes over the multiplex wiring network. Diagnostic codes are accessed through the central data link connector.

For reliability, the air bag system is powered by two dedicated electrical circuits, each of which has sufficient capacity to operate the system alone if the other fails. As on other Chrysler vehicles, air bag circuits include gold-plated terminals for maximum reliability.

Belt Systems

All outboard seating positions have self-adjusting low-tension three-point Unibelt active restraints. Center seating positions have manually adjustable lap belts.

All unibelt latch plates have a free-running feature to ensure that webbing retracts fully when the wearer unbuckles. Except for the driver's belt, the latch plates also include a cinching capability to secure child seats. The free-running feature of each latch plate ensures that the belt will retract fully when not in use, sliding through the latch plate if it reaches the turning loop. A button on the webbing prevents the latch plate from sliding down below the cushion. Low-tension retractors without tension relievers provide comfort while ensuring that the belts are properly positioned when needed.

For easy operation, all belts have end-release buckles. Pushing down anywhere on the end of the buckle releases the latch plate. When buckling up, the concave shape of the release button guides the latch plate into place.

For a neat appearance, all outboard seat belt retractors are concealed by the trim panels. Also for neatness, the belts pass from the retractor to the turning loops through small molded slits.

Adjustable Turning Loops
Durango's belt systems include adjustable turning loops - the upper anchorages for the shoulder belts - for both front and second-seat outboard occupants. Turning loop locations provide optimal wearing comfort for children, small adults and large adults with requisite collision protection. The turning loops slide in tracks on the door lock pillars. Pushing up or pulling down on a short lever unlatches the mechanism and simultaneously moves the turning loop in the direction of pressure. The turning loop automatically locks in place when pressure is removed. Range of adjustment is 3.9 inches (100 mm) at 0.8-inch (20-mm) intervals for both front and second-seat systems. Tracks for the front seat turning loops are curved to increase head clearance and further enhance wearer comfort. The tracks are concealed by opposed brushes.

Traveling Belt Anchors
Driver and outboard front-passenger seat belts feature traveling anchors and buckles - the first traveling outboard anchors on a domestic SUV. Outboard seat tracks are reinforced to accept belt loads. Buckles for these occupants also travel with the seat. The combination of traveling buckles and anchors allows the seats to be adjusted after buckling with comfort - lap belt adjustment remains constant. Traveling buckles are easy to reach because they are always in the same location regardless of seat track adjustment. The buckles attach to high-strength inboard seat tracks.

Third-Seat Belts
Third-seat belt retractors and turning loops mount on the liftgate pillars. Buckles are hinged to lay flat when the third seat is folded and automatically lifted up when returning the seat to the upright position. For the safety of third-seat occupants, a warning label attached to the underside of each second-seat outboard section reminds them that they must not ride in the third seat with the second-seat outboard sections folded and/or tumbled.

Rearward-Facing Child Seats
Rearward-facing child seats must never be placed in an air bag seating position. Therefore, a rearward-facing child seat may not be used in the front seat. Use of rearward-facing child seats in outboard rear seating positions is acceptable.

Head Restraints
Standard head restraints are provided at all outboard seating positions. Front-seat head restraints are fixed; rears are adjustable. Rear-seat head restraints do not have to be removed when folding the seats.

Child-Protection Rear Door Locks
Durango rear door latches include a manual "child safety" feature that prevents the doors from being opened from the inside, if desired. As on other Chrysler vehicles, the child safety feature is selected by moving a lever on the latch that protrudes through the door inner panel.

Collision Resistant Structure
Frontal-Impact Protection
The frame and body structure are designed to provide collision energy management for occupant protection.

Side-Guard Door Beams
Stamped, one-piece, high-strength, low-alloy door beams meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 214. Durango meets dynamic as well as static side-impact protection safety standards even though the latter is not legally required. The beams conform to the shape of the outer panel to minimize intrusion.

Rear Impact Resistant Front Seats
Like Dakota, Durango front seats are designed to absorb energy from rear impacts for occupant protection. This protection is provided over and above Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. All front seats have sturdy high-back construction that deforms to absorb impact forces. Both bucket and 40-20-40 seatbacks have recliner mechanisms on both sides that distribute impact loads to ensure ample strength.

Enhanced Accident Response System
Durango models with the available illuminated entry feature offer the same Enhanced Accident Response System as Dakota to aid passengers after a collision severe enough to deploy the air bags. As long as the electrical system remains intact after the collision, the Enhanced Accident Response System automatically unlocks the doors and turns on the interior courtesy lamps. Illumination of the courtesy lamps is delayed until 10 seconds after the vehicle stops (vehicle speed sensor output is zero or inactive) to avoid distracting the driver. The lamps remain on until the ignition is switched off if battery power is available. The Enhanced Accident Response System is normally enabled but may be disabled by the dealer using a DRB III scan tool.