Kia Sonet QY 2021 Owner's Manual page 69

Safety features of your vehicle
In order to help provide protection
in a severe collision, the air bags
must inflate rapidly. The speed of
air bag inflation is a consequence
of extremely short time in which
a collision occurs and the need to
get the air bag between the occu-
pant and the vehicle structures
before the occupant impacts
those structures. This speed of
inflation reduces the risk of seri-
ous or life-threatening injuries in
a severe collision and is thus a
necessary part of air bag design.
However, air bag inflation can also
cause injuries which can include
facial abrasions, bruises and bro-
ken bones because the inflation
speed also causes the air bags to
expand with a great deal of force.
There are even circumstances
under which contact with the
steering wheel air bag can cause
fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned excessively
close to the steering wheel.
WARNING
To avoid severe personal injury or
death caused by deploying air
bags in a collision, the driver
should sit as far back from the
steering wheel air bag. The front
passenger should always move
their seat as far back as possible
and sit back in their seat.
Air bag - supplemental restraint system
Air bag inflates instantly in an
event of a collision, passengers
may be injured by the air bag
expansion force if they are not in
a proper position.
Air bag inflation may cause inju-
ries including facial or bodily abra-
sions, injuries from broken
glasses or burns.
Noise and smoke
When the air bags inflate, they
make a loud noise and they leave
smoke and powder in the air inside
of the vehicle. This is normal and is a
result of the ignition of the air bag
inflator. After the air bag inflates,
you may feel substantial discomfort
in breathing due to the contact of
your chest with both the seat belt
and the air bag, as well as from
breathing the smoke and powder.
Open your doors and/or windows as
soon as possible after impact in
order to reduce discomfort and pre-
vent prolonged exposure to the
smoke and powder.
Though smoke and powder are non-
toxic, it may cause irritation to the
skin (eyes, nose and throat, etc.). If
this is the case, wash and rinse with
cold water immediately and consult
the doctor if the symptom persists.
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