Kia Telluride 2023 Owner's Manual page 63

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 ENGINE
START/STOP button has been turned
to the ON position.
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 direc-
tion, etc. Several factors determine
whether the sensors produce an elec-
tronic deployment / inflation signal.
僅 Air bags will not deploy in every crash
or collision situations. Air bag deploy-
ment depends on a number of factors
including vehicle speed, angles of
impact, and, the density and stiffness
of the vehicles or objects which your
vehicle hits in the collision. The deter-
mining factors are not limited to those
mentioned above.
僅 The front air bags will completely
inflate and deflate in an instant. It is
virtually impossible for you to see the
air bags inflate during an accident. It
is much more likely that you will sim-
ply see the deflated air bags hanging
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 airbags will remain inflated
longer. This helps provide protection
from ejection, especially when used in
conjunction with the seat belts.
僅 In order to help provide protection,
the air bags must inflate rapidly. The
airbag inflates extremely fast between
the occupant and the vehicle struc-
tures before the occupant impacts the
vehicle 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, airbag inflation can also
cause injuries which can include fas-
cial abrasions, bruises and broken
bones. This is because the rapid infla-
tion also causes the airbags 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 the vehicle. A dis-
tance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) 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
Seat
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