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BEFORE DRIVING
60MK0-14E
How the System Works
In a frontal collision, the crash sensors will
detect rapid deceleration, and if the con-
troller judges that the deceleration repre-
sents a severe frontal crash, the controller
will trigger the inflators. The inflators inflate
the appropriate air bags with nitrogen or
argon gas. The inflated air bags provide a
cushion for your head and upper body. The
air bag inflates and deflates so quickly that
you may not even realize that it has acti-
vated. The air bag will neither hinder your
view nor make it harder to exit the vehicle.
Air bags must inflate quickly and forcefully
in order to reduce the chance of serious or
fatal injuries. However, an unavoidable
consequence of the quick inflation is that
the air bag may irritate bare skin, such as
the facial area against a front air bag. Also,
upon inflation, a loud noise will occur and
some powder and smoke will be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle. Be aware,
however, that some air bag components
may be hot for a while after inflation.
A seat belt helps keep you in the proper
position for maximum protection when an
air bag inflates. Adjust your seat as far
back as possible while still maintaining
control of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your
seat; sit up straight; do not lean over the
steering wheel or dashboard. Please refer
to the “Seat Adjustment” section and the
“Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems”
in this section for details on proper seat
and seat belt adjustments.
65D610
WARNING
• The driver should not lean over the
steering wheel. The front passen-
ger should not rest his or her body
against the dashboard, or other-
wise get too close to the dash-
board. In these situations, the out-
of-position occupant would be too
close to an inflating air bag, and
may suffer severe injury.
• Do not attach any objects to, or
place any objects over, the steering
wheel or dashboard. Do not place
any objects between the air bag
and the driver or front passenger.
These objects may interfere with air
bag operation or may be propelled
by the air bag in the event of a
crash. Either of these conditions
may cause severe injury.
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