- Airbag system
-- --=--=---------------------------------
If the front airbags deploy, the knee airbags also dep loy in frontal
coll isions above a cert ai n sev er ity.
Whe n the syst em is dep loy ed, the airba g s start to f ill with a prope l-
lant gas, and inf late bet ween t he lower pa rt of the instr ument pa nel
and th e d rive r and the lowe r part of th e instru men t pane l and th e
front passenge r :::;, page
177, fig. 173.
Alth oug h the y are no t a soft pill ow, t hey can "cushion" th e im pact
and in this way they can help to reduce the ris k of injury to the lower
ext remitie s.
All t hi s t akes pl ace instanta ne ous ly, so fast tha t many peop le d on't
even realize that the airbags have deployed. The ai rbags also inf late
w it h a g reat deal of f orce and it is im por t ant for occupa nt saf ety t hat
nothing sho ul d be in their way when they dep loy.
Full y inf lat ed air bags in co mbina ti on wi th pr operl y w orn safe ty belt s
slow down and limit the occupant's forward movement and help to
redu ce t he risk . •
Important safety instructions on the knee
airbag system
Air bag s are only supplemen tal restra in ts. Alwa ys wear
safety bel ts correctly and ride in a proper seatin g po sit ion .
There is a lot that you and your passe ngers m ust know and do to
help the safety belts and airbags to provide supp lemental protec -
ti on .
& WARNING
An inflating knee airbag can cause serious injury. Wearing safety
belts incorrectly and improper seating positions increase the risk
of serious personal injury and death whenever a vehicle is being
used.
• The airbag system cannot protect you properly if you are
seated too close to any of the airbag locations . When adjusting
& WARNING (continued )
their seat positions, it is important that both the driver and the
front passenger keep their upper bodies and knees at the
following minimum safe distances :
- 1 O inches (25 cm) between the chest and the steering
wheel / instrument panel.
- 4 inches (10 cm) between the knees and the lower part of the
instrument panel.
• The risk of personal injury increases if you lean forward or to
the side, or if the seat is improperly positioned and you are not
wearing your safety belt. The risk increases even more should the
airbag deploy.
• Always make sure that the knee airbag can inflate without
interference. Objects between yourself and the airbag can
increase the risk of injury in an accident by interfering with the
way the airbag deploys or by being pushed into you as the airbag
deploys.
- No persons (children) or animals should ride in the footwell
in front of the passenger seat . If the airbag deploys, this can
result in serious or fatal injuries.
- No objects of any kind should be carried in the footwell area
in front of the driver's or passenger's seat. Bulky objects (shop-
ping bags, for example) can hamper or prevent proper deploy-
ment of the airbag . Small objects can be thrown through the
vehicle if the airbag deploys and injure you or your passengers .
• Make sure there are no cracks, deep scratches or other damage
in the area of the instrument panel where the knee airbags are
located .
• If children are incorrectly seated , their risk of injury increases in
the case of an accident :::;,
page 190, "Child Safety". •
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