3-44
Safety system
• The front airbags completely inflate
and deflate in an instant. It is virtually
impossible for you to see the airbags
inflate during an accident. It is much
more likely that you simply see the
deflated airbags hanging out of their
storage compartments after the
collision.
• In addition to inflating in serious side
collisions, side and/or curtain airbags
and front center side air bag inflate if
the sensing system detects a rollover.
When a rollover is detected, curtain
airbags remain inflated longer to help
provide protection from ejection,
especially when used in conjunction
with the seat belts.
• To help provide protection, the airbags
must inflate rapidly. The speed of
airbag inflation is a consequence of
extremely short time in which the
airbag inflates between the occupant
and the vehicle structures before the
occupant impacts those structures.
This speed of inflation reduces the risk
of serious or life-threatening injuries
and is thus a necessary part of airbag
design.
However, the rapid airbag inflation may
also cause injuries that include facial
abrasions, bruises, and broken bones
because the inflation speed also causes
the airbags to expand with great force.
• There are even circumstances under
which contact with the airbag may
cause fatal injuries, especially when the
occupant is positioned excessively
close to the airbag.
You can take steps to reduce the risk of
being injured by an inflating airbag. The
greatest risk is sitting too close to the
airbag. An airbag needs about 10 inches
(25 cm) of space to inflate. NHTSA
recommends that drivers allow at least 10
inches (25 cm) between the center of the
steering wheel and the chest.
To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from an inflating airbag:
• Never place a child restraint in the front
passenger seat. Always properly
restrain children under age 13 in the
rear seats of the vehicle.
• Adjust the front passenger's and
driver's seats as far to the rear as
possible while allowing you to maintain
full control of the vehicle.
• Hold the steering wheel with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
• Never place anything or anyone
between the airbag and the seat
occupant.
• Do not allow the front passenger to
place their feet or legs on the
dashboard.
When the SRSCM detects a sufficiently
severe impact to the front of the vehicle,
it automatically deploys the front airbags.
Driver's front airbag (1)
OHI038171L
Upon deployment, tear seam molded
directly into the pad cover will separate
under pressure from the expansion of the
air bags. Further opening of the covers
allows full inflation of the air bags.
0_IK_PE_en_US.book Page 44
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
