How the airbag system works

• The airbags only operate when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position.
• The airbags inflate immediately in a severe frontal or side collision (if the vehicle is equipped with side or curtain airbags) to help protect occupants from serious physical injury.
• There is no single speed at which the airbags will deploy.

As a general rule, the airbags are designed to deploy under different conditions depending on the force and direction of the impact. These two factors determine whether the sensors send an electronic signal to deploy the airbags.

Airbag deployment depends on a number of factors, including vehicle speed, impact angle, and the density and stiffness of the vehicles or objects involved in the collision. However, these are not the only factors.

The complete inflation and then deflation of the front airbags takes only an instant.

During a collision, it is not possible to observe the airbags inflating. In most cases, the driver will only see the deflated airbags hanging from their housings after the collision.

To provide protection in severe collisions, airbags must inflate very quickly. The speed of airbag inflation is a direct result of the extremely short duration of a collision and the need to place the airbag between the occupant and the vehicle interior before the occupant strikes vehicle components. Rapid inflation reduces the risk of serious, life-threatening injuries in severe collisions, and is therefore an essential element of airbag design.

However, airbag inflation can also cause injuries, usually abrasions to the face, cuts and bone fractures, and sometimes more serious ones, because the speed of inflation exerts very large forces on the walls of the deploying airbag.

There are also circumstances in which contact with the steering wheel airbag can cause fatal injuries, particularly when an occupant is positioned too close to the steering wheel.

WARNING

• To avoid serious injury or death caused by airbag deployment during a collision, the driver should sit as far from the steering wheel as possible (at least 250 mm). The driver and front passenger should always move their seats as far back as possible and sit well back in the seat.
• If occupants are not in the proper position and the airbag deploys immediately during a collision, they may be injured by the forces of the airbag deployment.
• Airbag deployment may cause injuries, which typically include abrasions, cuts from broken glasses, or burns caused by the pyrotechnic materials.

Noise and smoke

When the airbags deploy, they may produce a loud bang, generate smoke, and release dust inside the vehicle. This is normal and results from the ignition of pyrotechnic materials in the airbag. After the airbag has deployed, the occupant may have temporary difficulty breathing due to contact of the chest with the seat belt and airbag, as well as from inhaling dust and smoke. It is recommended to open the doors and/or windows as soon as possible after the impact to reduce discomfort and to prevent prolonged inhalation of smoke and dust.

Although smoke and dust are not toxic, they may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat, etc. If such symptoms occur, wash the skin and rinse with cold water, and consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.

WARNING When the airbags inflate, the corresponding parts of the steering wheel and/or instrument panel and/or both sides of the roof above the front and rear doors become very hot. To avoid injury, do not touch the airbag modules and their internal components immediately after inflation.

Do not install a child seat on the front passenger seat.

Never place a child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

If the airbag deploys, it may strike the child seat, causing serious or fatal injuries.

Also, do not place a child in a forward-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

If the airbag deploys, it may strike the child seat, causing serious or fatal injuries to the child.

If the vehicle is equipped with a front passenger airbag ON/OFF switch, the user may turn the airbag on and off whenever necessary.

WARNING

• Special danger! Do not install a rear-facing child seat on a seat protected by a front airbag!
• Never install a child seat on the front passenger seat. If the airbag deploys, it may strike the child seat, causing serious or fatal injuries.
• When children are seated in the outer rear seats, which are equipped with side airbags, make sure the child seat is positioned as far away from the door as possible.

  Deployment of side airbags or curtain airbags may cause serious injury or death from impact that may occur during their inflation.