If the vehicle hits an object that
deforms, the airbags could inflate at
a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits an object that does not
deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object
(like a pole), the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide object
(like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at
an angle, the airbags could inflate at
a different crash speed than if the
vehicle goes straight into the object.
Thresholds can also vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
2-26 Seats and Restraints
Warning
If something is between an occupant
and an airbag, the airbag might not
inflate properly or it might force the
object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path
of an inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything between
an occupant and an airbag, and do
not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any
other airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a seat-
mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of
a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by
routing a rope or tiedown through
any door or window opening. If you
do, the path of an inflating roof-rail
airbag will be blocked.
WHEN SHOULD AN AIRBAG
INFLATE?
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate
in moderate to severe frontal or near-
frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries mainly to
the driver’s or outboard front passen-
ger’s head and chest. However, they are
only designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds a predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds are
used to predict how severe a crash is
likely to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how fast
your vehicle is traveling. It depends
largely on what you hit, the direction of
the impact, and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at different
crash speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary
object, the airbags could inflate at a
different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
ION
UP-SHIFT LIGHT
The vehicle may have an up-shift light.
When this light comes on, shift to the
next higher gear if weather, road, and
traffic conditions allow.
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