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Children and air bags
For additional important safety
information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.
Children must always be properly
restrained. Accident statistics
suggest that children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front
seating position. Failure to follow
these instructions may increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
Air bags can kill or injure a
child in a child seat.
NEVERplace a rear-facing child
seat in front of an active air bag. If
you must use a forward-facing
child seat in the front seat, move
the seat all the way back.
How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work?
The air bag SRS is designed to
activate when the vehicle sustains
longitudinal deceleration sufficient
to cause the sensors to close an
electrical circuit that initiates air
bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation. Air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and
near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless
the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.
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The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After air bag
deployment, it is normal to notice a
smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag) or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the
air bag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic.
While the system is designed to help
reduce serious injuries, contact with
a deploying air bag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary
hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable
force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures,
facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who
are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag is deployed,the air bag will not function again
and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone,
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
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The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
(including pretensioners)
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety
restraints for children. Also seeAir Bag Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags.
Important child restraint precautions
You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who
are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less), you
must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your
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Page 109 of 200
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
SUN ROOF 15A Power Moonroof
ASC 10A Speed Control
P. WINDOW 30A CB Power Windows
CIGAR 20A Cigar Lighter
AIR BAG 10A Air Bags
FOG 10A Fog Lamps, Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
AUDIO 15A Premium Sound Amplifier, CD Changer
FUEL INJ. 10A H02S, Evaporative Emission Purge Flow
Sensor
BLOWER 30A CB Blower Motor Relay
Sedan/Wagon
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
R.WIPER 10A Daytime Running Lamps, Liftgate
Wiper/Washer
HAZARD 15A Hazard Lamps
R. WIPER (DOOR LK)
STOP
HAZARD HORN
TAIL
ROOM(AIR COND)SUNROOF
ENGINE METER(ASC)
MIRROR
WIPER
–P. Window (C.B.)
(FOG) CIGAR
(AUDIO)
AIR BAGFUEL INJ
HEATER
–
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
ROOM 10A Engine Controls, Remote Anti-Theft
Personality (RAP) Module, Radio, Shift
Lock, Courtesy Lamps, Starting System,
Warning Chime
ENGINE 15A Air Bag, Engine Controls, TR Sensor
MIRROR 5A Power Mirrors, Radio, Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE)
DOOR
LOCK30A Power Door Locks
HORN 15A Horn
AIR COND 15A A/C-Heater, ABS
METER 10A Backup Lamps, Engine Controls,
Instrument Cluster, Rear Window Defrost,
Shift Lock, Warning Chime, Turn Signal
Switch
WIPER 20A Wiper/Washer, Blower Relay
STOP 15A Stop Lamps
TAIL 15A Exterior Lamps, Instrument Illumination
SUN ROOF 15A Power Moonroof
ASC 10A Speed Control
CIGAR 20A Cigar Lighter
AIR BAG 10A Joint Connector, Air Bag Diagnostic
Monitor
FOG 10A Fog Lamps, Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
AUDIO 15A Radio
FUEL
INJECTOR10A HO2S, Evaporative Emission Purge Flow
Sensor
P. WINDOW 30A CB Power Windows
BLOWER 30A CB A/C-Heater
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle's main electrical systems from overloads.
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