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Safety features of your vehicle
How does the air bag system
operate?
僅 Air bags are activated (able to inflate
if necessary) only when the Ignition
switch or ENGINE START/STOP but-
ton is turned to the ON or engine is
running.
僅 The appropriate air bags inflate
instantly in the event of a serious
frontal collision or side collision in
order to help protect the occupants
from serious physical injury.
僅 There is no single speed at which the
air bags will inflate.
Generally, air bags are designed to
inflate based upon the severity of a
collision and its direction. These two
factors determine whether the sen-
sors produce an electronic deploy-
ment/ inflation signal.
僅 Air bag deployment depends on a
number of factors including vehicle
speed and angles of impact. The
determining factors are not limited to
those mentioned above.
僅 The front air bags will completely
inflate and deflate in an instant.
see the air bags inflate during an acci-
dent.
It is much more likely that you will
simply see the deflated air bags hang-
ing out of their storage compartments
after the collision.
僅 In addition to inflating in serious side
collisions, side and/or curtain air bags
will inflate if the sensing system
detects a rollover.
僅 When a rollover is detected, side and/
or curtain air bags will remain inflated
longer to help provide protection from
ejection, especially when used in con-
junction with the seat belts.
Air bag - advanced supplemental restraint system
僅 In order to help provide protection,
the air bags must inflate rapidly. The
speed of the air bag inflation is a con-
sequence of extremely short time in
which to inflate the air bag between
the occupant and the vehicle struc-
tures before the occupant impacts
those structures. This speed of infla-
tion reduces the risk of serious or life-
threatening injuries and is thus a nec-
essary part of the air bag design.
However, air bag inflation can also
cause injuries which can include facial
abrasions, bruises and broken bones
because the inflation speed also
causes the air bags to expand with a
great deal of force.
僅 There are even circumstances
under which contact with the steer-
ing wheel or passenger air bag can
cause fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned excessively
close to the steering wheel or pas-
senger air bag.
WARNING
Airbag inflation
Sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining
comfortable control of your vehicle. A
distance of at least 25cm (10 in)" from
your chest to the steering wheel is rec-
ommended. Failure to do so can result in
airbag inflation injuries to the driver.
Noise and smoke
When inflated, the air bags make a loud
noise and leave smoke and powder in
the air inside 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
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