New 2005 Chrysler and Dodge Minivans Offer Even More Safety Features

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 8, 2003 -- The new 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans will come loaded with safety features.

"Minivans, as a category, are already one of the safest vehicles on the road," said Mike Donoughe, Vice President, Family Vehicle Product Team, Chrysler Group. "For 2005, we've added even more safety features to Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan. Our comprehensive safety features help our minivans perform where it matters most -- on the road in real world driving conditions."

Following are safety and security features listed in alphabetical order for 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans:

Advanced Multistage Air Bag System

Provides enhanced protection for a greater range of occupants at various levels based on the severity of a crash.

Anti-lock Braking System

Equipped with electronic sensors that prevent wheel lockup, system offers improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions.

BeltAlert

Chrysler Group's new enhanced seat belt reminder system. If a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted, the system will periodically activate a chime and illuminate a light in the instrument cluster in order to remind the driver to buckle up.

Child Seat Anchor System

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH) eases installation of compatible aftermarket child seats.

Constant Force Retractors (CFR)

CFRs are engineered to force-limit the belt system and gradually release seat belt webbing in a controlled manner during a severe impact.

Enhanced Accident Response System

In the event of an accident, this system makes it easier for emergency personnel to see and reach the occupants by turning on the interior lighting and unlocking the doors after air bag deployment.

Energy-Absorbing Steering Column

The innovative stroking steering column utilizes "release capsules," which allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash. The column also features "tuned" metal bend straps which deform during column stroke for optimal energy management.

Front Crush Sensors

Two sensors, located forward in the vehicle, measure the severity of the impact and relay crash information to safety control systems in the occupant compartment for optimal deployment of the driver and passenger air bags, driver inflatable knee blocker, and seat belt pretensioners.

Minivan-First Inflatable Knee Blocker

Knee blocker inflates in conjunction with air bag deployment. This feature increases leg protection in an impact and helps to position the driver relative to the air bag.

  Minivan-First Factory-Installed UConnect
  Hands-Free Communication

Integrated into the vehicle's electrical and audio system, wireless Bluetooth(R) technology links to the customer's cell phone. Control buttons are intuitive and conveniently located on the rearview mirror.

Minivan-First Standard Door Alert

Signal lights activate when power sliding doors are in operation, signaling pedestrian activity.

Occupant Classification System (OCS)

The OCS measures conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger-side air bag, based upon the weight of the occupant.

Pretensioners

During a collision, the front seat belt pretensioners electronically sense a crash and immediately remove slack from the seat belts, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant's upper body.

Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Decoupler

A joint integrated into the steering system releases during a severe impact event. Limits the amount of force applied to the chest during an impact.

Three-row Supplemental Side Curtain Air Bags

Three-row, A to D pillar side curtain air bags provide full-length coverage for all three rows of seats. The side curtain extends protection to all outboard passengers. Both side curtain air bags have impact sensors which trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs.

Rear Park Assist

Rear obstacle detection system with audible warning and rear overhead display.