Driver and Passenger Front Airbags

Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint system (airbag) and lap/shoulder seat belts for both the driver and the front passenger.

The presence of the system is indicated by the letters "AIR BAG" embossed on the airbag cover in the steering wheel and on the front passenger's side of the instrument panel above the glove box.

The SRS consists of airbags installed under the covers in the center of the steering wheel and in the front panel on the passenger side above the glove box. The purpose of the SRS is to provide the driver and/or front passenger with additional protection beyond that offered by the seat belt system alone in the event of a frontal impact of sufficient severity.

WARNING

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 and palms should rest on the knees.

WARNING

Always use seat belts and child restraints — on every trip, every time, without exception! Airbags deploy with considerable force and in an instant. Seat belts help keep occupants in the correct position to get the maximum benefit from the airbag. Even with airbags, improperly seated or unbelted occupants can suffer serious injury when the airbag deploys. Always observe the seat belt, airbag and occupant safety precautions contained in this manual. To reduce the likelihood of serious or fatal injury and to get the maximum benefit from your restraint system:

• Never place a child in a child seat or booster seat in the front seat.
• ABC – Always restrain children in the rear seat. This is the safest place for children of any age.
• Improperly positioned front and side airbags can injure occupants in the front seats.
• Move the seat as far back from the front airbags as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
• You and your passengers should never sit or lean unnecessarily against the airbags. Drivers and passengers who are out of position may be seriously injured by airbag deployment.
• Never lean against the door or center console; always sit upright.
• Do not place any objects over or near the airbag modules on the steering wheel, instrument panel, and front passenger panel above the glove box, because any such object can cause injury if the vehicle is involved in a collision severe enough to deploy the airbags.
• Do not tamper with or disconnect the SRS wiring or other SRS components. This may cause injury from accidental airbag deployment or by disabling the SRS.
• If the SRS airbag warning lamp remains illuminated while the vehicle is in motion, have the system inspected at a specialized workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
• Airbags can be used only once — have the system replaced by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
• The SRS is designed to deploy the front airbags only in impacts strong enough and when the angle of impact is less than 30° from the vehicle's longitudinal forward axis. In addition, airbags deploy only once. Seat belts must be worn at all times.
• Front airbags are not designed to deploy in side impacts, rear impacts, or rollovers. In addition, front airbags do not deploy in frontal crashes below the deployment threshold.
• Never install a child restraint system on the front passenger seat. An infant or child may be seriously injured or killed by airbag deployment in an accident.
• Children aged 13 and under should always be properly secured in the rear seat. Never allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. If children older than 13 must sit in the front seat, they must be properly secured with the seat belt and the seat must be moved as far back as possible.
• For maximum protection in all types of collisions, all occupants, including the driver, must always wear seat belts regardless of whether an airbag is also provided at their seating position, to minimize the risk of serious injury or death in an accident. Do not sit or lean too close to the airbag while the vehicle is moving.
• Improper or incorrect seating position may result in serious or fatal injury in an accident. All occupants should sit upright with the seatback in the vertical position, centered on the seat cushion with the seat belt fastened, feet comfortably extended and resting on the floor, until the vehicle is parked and the ignition key is removed.
• The SRS airbag system must deploy very quickly to provide protection in a collision. If an occupant is out of position because the seat belt is not worn, the airbag may strike the occupant with force, resulting in serious or fatal injury.