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Interpretation ID: 1984-3.3

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 08/15/84

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Frank Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Arent; Fox; Kintner; Plotkin & Kahn

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

Mr. Lawrence F. Henneberger Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin & Kahn Washington Square 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036-5339

Dear Larry:

As requested, our office has reviewed the utility vehicle labels and Owner's Manual language proposed for use by American Motors Corporation on 1985 model year utility vehicles subject to the Utility Vehicle Consumer Information Regulation, 49 CFR 575.105. These materials were contained as Attachments A and B in your recent submission and are annexed hereto for convenience.

We have determined that the utility vehicle sticker and Owner's Manual language proposed by American Motors Corporation is in compliance with the referenced regulation.

Sincerely,

Frank Berndt Chief Counsel

Enclosure

The following labels will be placed on 1985 Model Year American Motors utility vehicles:

Open-Body Utility Vehicles - Jeep CJ and Scrambler:

WEAR SEAT BELTS AT ALL TIMES DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

This is an open-body utility vehicle. It handles and maneuvers differently from many passenger cars both on-road and off-road. You must drive it safely. As with other utility vehicles, if you make sudden sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, you may cause this vehicle to go out of control and roll over or crash--you or your passengers may be seriously injured. Read the driving guidelines in the Owner's Manual and Supplement.

Closed-Body Utility Vehicles - Wagoneer, Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer:

WEAR SEAT BELTS AT ALL TIRES DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

This utility vehicle handles and maneuvers differently from many passenger cars both on-road and off-road. You must drive it safely. As with other utility vehicles, if you make sudden sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, you may cause this vehicle to go out of control and roll over or crash--you or your passengers may be seriously injured. Read the driving guidelines in the Owner's Manual.

ATTACHMENT A

Following is an extract of the American Motors Owner's Manual (specified utility vehicles), containing the required introductory statements:

An Important Message To You From Jeep Corporation

Thank you for selecting one of our 1985 Jeep models. Whichever your choice--Jeep CJ or Scrambler--be assured that it represents the precision workmanship, distinctive styling and high quality traditional with Jeep vehicles.

This is a specialized vehicle designed for both on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform tasks for which conventional, 2-wheel drive, closed vehicles were not intended. However, on-pavement ride and handling will have a different feel from what drivers experience with other vehicles, so take time to become familiar with your vehicle.

This vehicle has a higher ground clearance, higher center of gravity and narrower track than many passenger cars. It is capable of performing better in a wide variety of off-road applications. Driven in an unsafe manner, all vehicles can be caused to go out of control. Because of the higher center of gravity and the narrower track, if this vehicle is out of control, it may roll-over when some other vehicles may not. You should not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result in an accident, roll-over of the vehicle and serious injury or death.

Because of their open-body construction, Jeep CJ's and Scramblers offer less protection than closed vehicles in the event of an accident. Although Jeep CJ's and Scramblers may be equipped with optional soft or hard tops to give the occupants protection from the weather, these tops do not offer structural protection in the event of an accident and do not change the open-body characteristic of the vehicle. Even though your Jeep CJ or Scrambler has a roll bar for some extra protection, it is a truly open vehicle--there is no steel structural integrated top and it has low sides and a folding windshield. Many of these vehicles have no real doors. Dangerous driving behavior presents more risk of injury to occupants of open- body vehicles. So drive carefully and wear safety belts at all times.

Drive carefully. Observe traffic laws. Use driver and passenger safety belts. Don't drive if you have been drinking or taking drugs. These are the best ways to avoid accidents and injury or death. It is especially important to practice safe, cautious driving techniques in driving open-body vehicles because they offer less protection in the event of an accident.

Human error is the primary or contributing factor in more than 90% of all traffic accidents that result in severe injury or death. Alcohol impairment is a major cause of fatal and other serious accidents and is particularly involved in single-vehicle crashes. Between 40% and 50% of fatally injured drivers were too intoxicated to have legally driven their motor vehicles under the laws of most states. Alcohol impairment may increase the seriousness of injury in an accident and may complicate the medical treatment of a serious injury. Excessive speed is a factor in at least 30% of all accidents that result in serious injury or death.

Failure to use driver and passenger safety belts provided as standard equipment on nearly all vehicles is a major cause of serious injury or death. In fact, the U.S. government notes that the universal use of existing safety belts could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or more each year, and could reduce disabling injuries by 2 million incidents annually.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among persons 15 to 34 years of age...more than disease or illness, more than all other accidents combined.

Operating this vehicle at excessive speeds or while intoxicated may result in loss of control, collision with other vehicles or objects, going off road, or overturning; any of which may lead to serious injury or death. Also, failure to use standard safety belts subjects the driver and passengers to a greater risk of being thrown out of an open-body vehicle than out of a closed vehicle in an accident.

Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Owner's Manual Supplement "Driving Your 4-Wheel Drive Vehicle" including the on-pavement and off-road driving guidelines and be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls, particularly shifting, steering and braking. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills will improve with experience, but as in driving any vehicle, take it easy as you begin. When driving off-road or working the vehicle, don't overload it or expect it to overcome the laws of nature. Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws wherever you drive.

As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read On-Pavement and Off-Road driving guidelines in this manual.

Read the manual and all the supplements in the Owner's Kit before operating your Jeep vehicle.

Enjoy your new Jeep vehicle. When you need assistance, service or replacement parts, see your Jeep dealer.

Change of Address or Ownership

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Clean Air Act require that the manufacturer be able to contact owners in the event of a product correction. Please complete the card included in the Owner's Kit when you change your address or purchase a used Jeep vehicle. Be sure to use the complete Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)--location described in this manual. If the card has been used, furnish the VIN and you name and address to:

In U.S.A. In Canada Jeep Corporation American Motors (Canada) Inc. Owner Relations 350 Kennedy Road South P.O. Box 442 Brampton, Ontario L6V 2M3 Detroit, Michigan 48232 Attn: Warranty Admin.Dept.

Warnings and Cautions

This manual contains WARNINGS against operating procedures which could result in an accident or bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONS against procedures which could result in damage to your Jeep vehicle or accessory equipment. If you do not read this entire manual, you may miss important information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.

Warning and Caution Labels

Various information labels affixed to your vehicle use a combination of colors and symbols. Bright orange labels WARN against operating procedures which could result in an accident or bodily injury. Bright yellow labels CAUTION against operating procedures which could result in damage to your vehicle.