2005 CHEVROLET KODIAK airbag
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{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not in ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in ating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
When Should an Airbag In ate?
Airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to
inflate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined
deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take
into account a variety of desired deployment and
non-deployment events and are used to predict
how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inflate and help restrain the occupants.
Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy
is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling.It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the
impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down.
(The threshold level can vary, however, with specific
vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above
or below this range.)
Airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:
•If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbag could
inflate at a different crash speed than if the object
were moving.
•If the object deforms, the airbag could inflate at a
different crash speed than if the object does not
deform.
•If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
•If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
The frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during
vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts
because inflation would not likely help the occupants.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether
an airbag should have inflated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair
costs were. Inflation is determined by the angle of the
impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal
or near-frontal impacts.
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What Makes an Airbag In ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash.
The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But airbags
would not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and
then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
collisions.
What Will You See After an
Airbag In ates?
After an airbag inflates, it quickly deflates,
so quickly that some people may not even realize
the airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag
module — the steering wheel hub for the driver’s
airbag, or the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s bag — will be hot for a short time.
The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent
the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
When an airbag in ates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
in ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment,
you should seek medical attention.In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.•Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you will need some new parts for your
airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
•Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after
a crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders on page 7-6.
•Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag
system. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer for service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
airbag module in the steering wheel or both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger’s airbag. Do not open or break
the airbag coverings.
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Airbag Off Switch
If your vehicle has a right front passenger airbag, it has
a switch on the instrument panel that you can use to
turn off the right front passenger’s airbag.This switch should only be turned to the off position if
the person in the right front passenger’s position is
a member of a passenger risk group identified by the
national government as follows:
Infant.An infant (less than 1 year old) must
ride in the front seat because:
•
my vehicle has no rear seat;
•my vehicle has a rear seat too small to
accommodate a rear-facing infant seat; or
•the infant has a medical condition which, according
to the infant’s physician, makes it necessary for the
infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the child’s condition.
Child age 1 to 12.A child age 1 to 12 must
ride in the front seat because:
•
my vehicle has no rear seat;
•although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear
seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to 12
sometimes must ride in the front because no space
is available in the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or
•the child has a medical condition which, according
to the child’s physician, makes it necessary for the
child to ride in the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the child’s condition. United States
Canada
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Medical Condition.A passenger has a
medical condition which, according to his or
her physician:
•
causes the passenger airbag to pose a special risk
for the passenger; and
•makes the potential harm from the passenger
airbag in a crash greater than the potential
harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the
passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard
or windshield in a crash.
{CAUTION:
If the right front passenger’s airbag is turned
off for a person who is not in a risk group
identi ed by the national government, that
person will not have the extra protection of an
airbag. In a crash, the airbag will not be able to
in ate and help protect the person sitting
there. Do not turn off the passenger’s airbag
unless the person sitting there is in a risk
group.To turn off the right front passenger’s airbag, insert your
ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the
switch to the off position.United States
Canada
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The airbag off light will come on to let you know that the
right front passenger’s airbag is off. The light will stay
on to remind you that the airbag is off. The right front
passenger’s airbag will remain off until you turn it
back on.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the airbag, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. The right front passenger’s airbag
could in ate even though the switch is off.
If this ever happens, do not let anyone whom
the national government has identi ed as a
member of a passenger airbag risk group sit
in the right front passenger’s position
(for example, do not secure a rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger’s seat)
until you have your vehicle serviced.To turn the right front passenger’s airbag on, insert your
ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the
switch to the on position.United States
Canada
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Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. You do not want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-8.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still in ate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it in ates. Avoid yellow wires,
wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali ed to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front of
the vehicle that could keep the airbags from
working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or
height, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Also, the airbag system may not
work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before
you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of theCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-2.
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Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system
may not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety
belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts
and repairs may be necessary even if the belt was not
being used at the time of the collision.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
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