Dodge Challenger 2016 Operating Information Manual page 39

WARNING! (Continued)
• Do not put anything on or around the air
bag covers or attempt to open them manu-
ally. You may damage the air bags and you
could be injured because the air bags may
no longer be functional. The protective
covers for the air bag cushions are de-
signed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.
• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to
more severe injuries in a collision. The air
bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, air bags
won't deploy at all. Always wear your seat
belts even though you have air bags.
Advanced Front Air Bag Operation
Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to pro-
vide additional protection by supplementing the
seat belts. Advanced Front Air Bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear,
side, or rollover collisions. The Advanced Front
Air Bags will not deploy in all frontal collisions,
including some that may produce substantial
36
vehicle damage — for example, some pole
collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset
collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and
location of impact, Advanced Front Air Bags
may deploy in crashes with little vehicle front-
end damage but that produce a severe initial
deceleration.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle de-
celeration over time, vehicle speed and damage
by themselves are not good indicators of
whether or not an air bag should have de-
ployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in
all collisions, and also are needed to help keep
you in position, away from an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the
Advanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is gen-
erated to inflate the Advanced Front Air Bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel sepa-
rate and fold out of the way as the air bags
inflate to their full size. The Advanced Front Air
Bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly
deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the
knees of the driver and front passenger, and
position the front occupants for improved inter-
action with the Advanced Front Air Bags.
WARNING!
• Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee
impact bolsters in any way
• Do not mount any accessories to the knee
impact bolsters such as alarm lights, ste-
reos, citizen band radios, etc.