Airbag System Operation

• The airbags are ready to operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position.
• They deploy instantly in a severe frontal or side collision (if equipped with side airbags or curtain airbags) to provide additional protection for occupants against serious injury.
• The airbag deployment speed is not constant.

In general, airbag deployment depends on the severity and direction of the impact. These two factors determine the electronic signal sent by the sensors to deploy the airbags.
• Airbag deployment depends on a number of factors, including vehicle speed, direction of impact, and the density and stiffness of the vehicle structure or object with which the vehicle collides.

The factors listed above are not exhaustive.
• Front airbags deploy and inflate instantly.

It is almost impossible to see the airbag inflate during a traffic accident. Most likely, occupants will only see deflated airbags hanging from their housings after the collision.
• To provide protection in a severe collision, airbags must inflate very quickly. This high deployment speed is necessary solely because of the very short time during a collision in which the airbag must inflate between the occupant and the vehicle structure so that the occupant does not strike those structures. This deployment speed reduces the likelihood of serious or life-threatening injury in a severe collision and is therefore a mandatory design requirement of the airbag.

However, airbag deployment itself can also cause injuries, including facial abrasions, bruises and fractures, because the high deployment speed generates considerable force.

• Under certain circumstances, contact between an occupant and the airbag in the steering wheel can cause fatal injuries, especially if the occupant is positioned too close to the steering wheel.

WARNING

• To avoid serious injury or death from airbag deployment in a collision, the driver should sit as far as possible from the steering wheel airbag (at least 250 mm from it). A front seat passenger should always move the seat as far back as possible and sit upright with their back against the seatback.
• Airbag deployment during a collision occurs instantly, and occupants may be injured by the force of deployment if they are not seated properly.
• Airbag deployment may cause injuries, including abrasions to the face and body, cuts from broken glasses, and burns.

Noise and Smoke

Airbag deployment is accompanied by a loud noise and the release of smoke and dust inside the vehicle. This is normal and is the result of the combustion of the inflator device that inflates the airbags.

After deployment, occupants may experience significant breathing discomfort due to contact of the chest with both the seat belt and the airbag, as well as from inhaling smoke and dust.

The manufacturer strongly recommends opening the doors and/or windows as soon as possible after a collision to reduce this discomfort and to prevent prolonged exposure to smoke and dust. Although this smoke and dust are non-toxic, they may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat, etc. In this case, immediately wash and rinse the affected areas with cold water; if symptoms do not go away, consult a doctor.

WARNING

When the airbags deploy, the steering wheel and/or instrument panel and/or both roof edge trims above the front and rear doors become very hot.

To avoid injury, do not touch internal components in the airbag locations immediately after deployment.

Do not install a child seat on the front passenger seat

Never place a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat. If the airbag deploys, it may strike the child seat, resulting in serious injury or fatal injury to the child.

In addition, do not place a forward-facing child seat on the front passenger seat. If the front passenger airbag deploys, it may cause serious injury or fatal injury to the child.

WARNING

• Special danger! Do not install a rear-facing child seat on a seat in front of which an airbag is located!
• Never install a child seat on the front passenger seat. If the front passenger airbag deploys, it may cause serious injury or fatal injury to the child.
• When children are seated in the rear side seats of a vehicle equipped with side airbags, always install child seats as far as possible from the doors and make sure they are secured against movement.

Deployment of a side airbag or curtain airbag may cause serious injury or death to a child in the event of an impact.