Driver and Passenger Front Airbags

■ Driver Front Airbag

■ Driver Knee Airbag

■ Passenger Front Airbag

Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Supplemental Restraint System (air bags) and lap/shoulder belts for the driver and front passenger seats.

The system is identified by the letters "AIR BAG" located on the air bag cover on the steering wheel and on the front passenger side panel above the glove box.

The SRS consists of airbags installed behind covers in the center of the steering wheel and in the front passenger's side of the instrument panel above the glove box.

The purpose of the SRS is to provide the driver and/or front passenger with additional protection beyond that provided by the seat belt system alone in the event of a frontal impact of sufficient severity. The SRS uses sensors to detect the use of the driver and front passenger seat belts and the severity of the impact.

The seat belt buckle sensors determine whether the driver and front passenger seat belts are fastened.

These sensors allow the SRS deployment to be controlled according to whether the seat belts are fastened and how severe the impact is.

The advanced SRS controls air bag deployment using two stages. The first stage is designed for moderate-severity impacts. The second stage is designed for more severe impacts.

The front passenger air bag is designed to reduce the risk of injury to children who are seated close to the instrument panel in low-speed collisions. However, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seat.

Depending on the severity of the impact and seat belt use, the SRSCM (SRS Control Module) controls air bag deployment. Improper seat belt use may increase the risk or severity of injury in an accident.

✽ NOTICE

The driver's hands should be placed on the steering wheel at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. The passenger's hands should rest on the lap.

In addition, your vehicle is equipped with a passenger detection system in the front passenger seat. The passenger detection system detects the presence of a passenger in the front passenger seat and will turn off the front passenger air bag under certain conditions. For more information, refer to "Passenger Detection System" in this chapter.

Modification of the seat structure may cause the air bag to deploy at a different level than intended.

In accordance with government regulations, manufacturers are required to provide contact information regarding vehicle modifications for persons with disabilities that may affect the advanced air bag system of the vehicle. This contact service is free of charge from Kia. Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-877-KIA-AUTO (1-877-542-2886).

However, Kia does not approve of and will not support any changes to any part or design of the vehicle that may affect the advanced air bag system, including the passenger detection system.

WARNING - Replacement/Modification

The front passenger seat, instrument panel, or door must not be replaced, except by an authorized Kia dealer using genuine Kia parts designed for this vehicle and model. Any other such replacement or modification may adversely affect the operation of the passenger detection system and the advanced air bags.

The advanced air bags, in combination with seat belts with pretensioners, help provide enhanced occupant protection in frontal collisions. The front air bags are not designed to deploy in collisions where the pretensioner and seat belt can provide sufficient protection.

✽ NOTICE

Air bags can be used only once. Contact an authorized Kia dealer to replace the air bag immediately after deployment.

The front air bags are not designed to deploy in side impacts, rear impacts, or rollovers. However, when the frontal deployment threshold is met in a side impact, the front air bags may deploy. In addition, the front air bags will not deploy in frontal collisions below the deployment threshold.

WARNING - SRS Wiring

Do not tamper with or disconnect the SRS wiring or other SRS components. This may cause injury due to accidental air bag deployment or may disable the SRS.

WARNING! Do not attach objects

• Do not place any objects (such as an emergency cover, cell phone holder, cup holder, air freshener, or stickers) on or near the air bag modules on the steering wheel, instrument panel, windshield, and front passenger panel above the glove box. Such objects may cause injury if the vehicle is involved in an accident severe enough to deploy the air bags. Do not place any objects over the air bag or between the air bag and yourself.
• Never place or insert any objects in the small opening next to the side air bag or near the labels attached to the vehicle seats. When the air bag deploys, the object may affect deployment and cause an unexpected accident or personal injury.