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126
Airb a g sys t e m
If the front airbags deploy, the knee airbags
also deploy in frontal collisions when the de-
ployment threshold stored in the control unit
is met.
When the system dep loys fill the airbags with
a prope llant gas, and inflate between the low-
er part of the instrument panel and the driver
and the lower part of the instrument panel
and the front passenger
<=>
page 118, fig. 122.
Although they are not a soft pillow, they can
"cushion" the impact and in this way they can
help to reduce the risk of injury to the lower
extremities.
All of this takes place in the blink of an eye, so
fast that many people don't even realize that
the airbags have deployed. The airbags also
inflate with a great deal of force and it is im-
portant for occupant safety that noth ing
should be in the ir way when they deploy.
Fully inflated airbags in combination with
properly worn safety belts slow down and lim-
it the occupant's forward movement and help
to reduce the risk of injury.
Important safety instructions on the
knee airbag system
Airbags are only supplemental
restraints. Al-
ways wear safety belts correctly and ride in a
proper seating position.
There is a lot that you and your passengers
must know and do to help the safety belts and
airbags to provide supp lemental protection .
,&.
WARNING
An inflating knee airbag can cause ser ious
injury. Wearing safety belts incorrectly and
improper seating positions increase the
risk of serious personal injury and death
whenever a vehicle is being used.
- The knee airbag system cannot protect
you properly if you are seated too close
to any of the airbag locations. When ad-
just ing their seat positions, it is impor-
tant that both the driver and the front
passenge r keep their upper bodies and
knees at the following minimum safe
distances:
- at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the
chest and the stee ring wheel/inst ru-
ment panel.
- at leas t 4 inches (10 cm) between the
knees and the lower part of the instru-
ment panel.
- The risk of personal injury increases if
you lean forward or to t he side, or if the
seat is improperly posit ioned and you are
not wearing your safety belt. The risk in-
creases even more should the airbag de-
ploy.
- Always ma ke sure that the knee airbag
can inflate without interference. Objects
between you and the airbag can increase
the risk of injury in an accident by inter-
fering with the way the airbag deploys or
by being pushed into you as the airbag
deploys.
- Never let anybody, espec ially children
or anima ls in the footwe ll in front of
the passenger seat.
If the airbag de·
ploys, th is can result in serious or fatal
injuries.
- No objects of any kind shou ld be car-
ried in the footwell area in front of the
driver's or passenger's seat. Bulky ob-
jects (shopping bags, for example) can
hamper or prevent proper deployment
of the airbag . Small objects can be
th rown thro ugh the vehicle if the air-
bag deploys and injure you or your pas-
sengers.
- Make sure there are no cracks, deep
scratches or other damage in t he area of
the instrument panel where the knee air-
bags are located .
- If children are incorrectly seated, their
risk of injury increases in a collision
<=>
page 130, Child Safety.
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