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Mirrors AirbagsInterior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming feature
*
This mirror automatically responds to
glare by dimming through an infinitely
variable range. It automatically reverts
to its clear, undimmed mode whenever
you select reverse.
To ensure that the mirror continues to
operate efficiently, ensure that the area
adjacent to the photocells remains
clean and unobstructed. One photocell
is integrated within the mirror's lens
(arrow), while the other is located at an
offset position on the rear of the mirror.
Refrain from attaching stickers or other
objects to the windshield in the area
immediately behind the rearview mirror.
1 Front driver and passenger-side
airbags
2 Head airbags for driver and front
passenger
3 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger sides (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the vehicle's
occupants during frontal impacts in
which the protection provided by the
safety belts alone might not be enough
to prevent injury. The head airbags and
side airbags help provide protection in
the event of a collision from the side.
Each of the side airbags is designed to
help support the seat occupant's upper
body. For information on correct sitting
posture refer to page 40.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the
operational status of the airbag
system from ignition key posi-
tion 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
when you turn the ignition key to
position 1 or higher.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to go out
after the engine is started, or comes
on in the course of normal vehicle
operation.
Because a system malfunction could
prevent the airbags from deploying in
the event of a severe impact within their
normal activation range, you should
always respond to any problems by
having them corrected at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
The side airbags in the rear
passenger area
* of your vehicle
may already have been deactivated,
either at the time of manufacture or by a
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please
contact your BMW center for additional
information.<
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
The airbags do not respond to
minor collisions, rear impacts, or
to some kinds of vehicle rollovers.<
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for the
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may
not be able to provide their maximum
protection. All passengers in the vehicle
should be aware of and comply with
this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra
protection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle rollover, or collisions from the
rear. In these instances, the safety belt
provides optimal protection.
Airbags are located under cover panels
in the steering wheel, in the instrument
panel, in the side trim panels in the
front and rear
*, in the roof panels, and
in the sides of the inside roof lining.
Adjust your seat to a position that
provides maximum distance between
you and the steering wheel, the instru-
ment panel and the door while still
allowing comfortable and safe access
to all vehicle controls.
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries, always grasp the steering wheel
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your
hands on the center pad.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them
or modify them in any other way.
Do not install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle.
Children under 13 years of age and less
than 5 ft (150 cm) tall should ride only in
the rear seat.
Infants or small children should never
be held on the lap of a passenger.
If your vehicle is equipped with side
airbags in the rear passenger area
*, be
sure that child restraints are mounted
correctly with the greatest-possible
distance between them and the airbags
in the side trim panels. Do not allow
children to lean out of the child's seat in
the direction of the side trim panels. If
they do so, serious injuries can occur if
the airbag is triggered.
upright and be properly restrained
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child-restraint systems; larger
children and adults using the safety
belts). Never let an occupant's head
rest near or on a side airbag because
the inflating airbag could cause a
serious or fatal injury. Please note that
the word Airbag imprinted on the door
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an
automobile is in the rear seat. However,
a child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or her
head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child Ñ even
though belted Ñ may fall asleep with his
or her head against the side airbag. It
may be difficult for a driver to ensure
that children in the rear seat will remain
properly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag.
Therefore, we recommend that the
rear-seat side airbags, if installed in the
vehicle, be deactivated if children will
travel in the rear seat.
The rear side airbags may already have
been deactivated, either at the time of
