Tesla MODEL S 2012 Owner's Manual page 36

Airbags
How Airbags Work
Airbags inflate when sensors detect an impact that
exceeds deployment thresholds. These thresholds are
designed to predict the severity of a crash in time for
the airbags to help protect the vehicle's occupants.
Airbags inflate instantly with considerable force
accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated bag, together
with the seat belts, limits movement of occupants to
reduce the risk of injury.
Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in
rear collisions, rollovers, side collisions and when braking
heavily or driving over bumps and potholes. Likewise,
front airbags may not inflate in all frontal collisions, such
as minor front collisions, underride collisions, or minor
impacts with narrow objects (such as posts or poles).
Significant superficial damage can occur to the vehicle
without the airbags inflating and, conversely, a relatively
small amount of structural damage can cause airbags to
inflate. Therefore, the external appearance of the vehicle
after a collision does not represent whether or not the
front airbags should have inflated.
WARNING: Before modifying your vehicle to
accommodate a person with disabilities in a way
that may affect the airbag system, contact Tesla.
Types of Airbags
Model S has the following types of airbags:
• Front airbags: The front airbags are designed to
reduce injuries if larger children or adults are riding in
the front seats. Follow all warnings and instructions
related to seating a child on the front passenger seat
(if permitted in your market region).
• Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the front airbags
work together. The knee airbags limit the forward
motion of the front seat occupants by restricting leg
movement, thereby positioning the occupants so that
the front airbags work more effectively.
• Side airbags: Side airbags protect the thorax region
of the torso and the pelvis. They inflate only if a
severe side impact occurs. Side airbags on the non-
impacted side of the vehicle do not inflate.
• Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the
head. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-
impacted side of the vehicle inflate only if a severe
side impact occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over.
Passenger Front Airbag Status
The status of the passenger front airbag displays in the
top corner of the touchscreen:
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The Passenger Airbag Off indicator
displays in the top corner of the
touchscreen when the passenger front
airbag is OFF. When the passenger front
airbag is OFF, it does not inflate when a
collision occurs. This indicator does not
display when the seat is unoccupied.
To protect an adult occupying the front
passenger seat, ensure the passenger
front airbag is ON. When the passenger
airbag is ON, it may inflate when a
collision occurs.
MODEL S Owner's Manual