Tesla MODEL 3 2022 Owner's Manual page 39

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 3 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). See
• 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.
• Seat-mounted side airbags: A seat-mounted side airbag in the front seats helps protect the pelvis and the thorax
region of the torso. The seat-mounted side airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle
will inflate in the event of severe side impact or severe offset frontal impact.
• Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the head. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted
side of the vehicle will 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:
Before driving with a child seat on the front passenger seat (if legally permitted in your market
region), always double-check the status of the passenger front airbag to confirm that it is OFF.
When the passenger front airbag is OFF, it will not inflate when a collision occurs. This indicator also
displays when the seat is unoccupied.
Before driving with a child seat on the front passenger seat (if legally permitted in your market
region), always double-check the status of the passenger front airbag to confirm that it is OFF.
When the passenger front airbag is OFF, it will not inflate when a collision occurs. This indicator also
displays when the seat is unoccupied.
To protect an adult occupying the front passenger seat, ensure the passenger front airbag is ON.
When the passenger front airbag is ON, it may inflate when a collision occurs.
Seating and Safety Restraints
Child Safety Seats on page 30.
Airbags
37