Fiat 500 L 2019 User Manual page 66

Side Impacts
The Side Air Bags are designed to activate in
certain side impacts. The Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) determines whether the de-
ployment of the Side Air Bags in a particular
impact event is appropriate, based on the severity
and type of collision.The side impact sensors aid
the ORC in determining the appropriate re-
sponse to impact events.The system is calibrated
to deploy the Side Air Bags on the impact side of
the vehicle during impacts that require Side Air
Bag occupant protection. In side impacts, the Side
Air Bags deploy independently; a left side impact
deploys the left Side Air Bags only and a right-side
impact deploys the right Side Air Bags only.Vehicle
damage by itself is not a good indicator of
whether or not Side Air Bags should have de-
ployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side
collisions, including some collisions at certain
angles, or some side collisions that do not impact
the area of the passenger compartment.The Side
Air Bags may deploy during angled or offset
frontal collisions where the front air bags deploy.
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Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt
restraint system. Side Air Bags deploy in less time
than it takes to blink your eyes.
WARNING!
• Occupants, including children, who are up
against or very close to Side Air Bags can be
seriously injured or killed. Occupants, includ-
ing children, should never lean on or sleep
against the door, side windows, or area
where the side air bags inflate, even if they
are in an infant or child restraint.
• Seat belts (and child restraints where appro-
priate) are necessary for your protection in all
collisions. They also help keep you in position,
away from an inflating Side Air Bag.To get the
best protection from the Side Air Bags, occu-
pants must wear their seat belts properly and
sit upright with their backs against the seats.
Children must be properly restrained in a child
restraint or booster seat that is appropriate for
the size of the child.
WARNING!
• Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright
in the center of the seat.
• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during
deployment could cause you to be severely
injured or killed.
• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead
to more severe injuries in a collision. The
Side Air Bags work with your seat belt to
restrain you properly. In some collisions, Side
Air Bags won't deploy at all. Always wear
your seat belt even though you have Side Air
Bags.
NOTE:
Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deploy-
ment.