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KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-44AIR BAG SYSTEM
COMPONENTSThe main components of your vehicle’s
SRS are:
• One air bag in the steering wheel for
the driver, and another in the
dashboard for the front passenger.
• A diagnostic system that continually
monitors system operation.
• An indicator light to warn you of a
possible problem with the system.
• Emergency power backup in case
your car’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.To indicate that your vehicle is equipped
with air bags, the air bag covers on the
steering wheel and on the dashboard are
marked with “SRS AIR BAG.”
HOW THE AIR BAG SYSTEM
WORKSThe driver’s air bag is stored in the
center of the steering wheel. The
passenger side air bag is stored in the
front instrument panel above the glove
box.
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, your air bags will instantly
inflate to help protect you from serious
physical injury.
There is no single vehicle speed at which
the air bags will inflate. Generally, air
bags are designed to inflate in severe
frontal collisions. The air bag
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
reacts to the severity of a collision and its
direction. These two factors determine
whether the sensors send out an
electronic deployment or inflation signal.
Whether the air bags will inflate depends
on a number of factors including vehicle
speed, angle of impact and the density
and stiffness of the vehicles or objects
that your vehicle hits in the collision.
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MMSA3037A
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KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-46NOISE AND SMOKEWhen the air bags inflate, they make a
loud noise and they leave smoke and
powder in the air inside of the vehicle.
This is normal and is a result of the
ignition of the air bag inflator.
After the air bags inflate, you may feel
substantial discomfort in breathing due
both to the contact by your chest with
both the safety belt and the air bag, as
well as from breathing the smoke and
powder.
We strongly urge you to open your
doors and/or windows as promptly as
possible after impact in order to
reduce discomfort and prevent
prolonged exposure to the smoke and
powder.
WARNING - Hot Metal
Parts
When the air bags deploy, the
air bag inflators in the steering
wheel and/or in the dashboard
are very hot. To prevent injury,
do not touch the air bag storage
area’s internal components
immediately after an air bag has
inflated.
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Page 216 of 225

MAINTENANCE
7-40ALUMINUM WHEEL
MAINTENANCEThe aluminum wheels are coated with a
clear protective finish.
• Do not use any abrasive cleaner,
polishing compound, solvent, or wire
brushes on aluminum wheels. They
may scratch or damage the finish.
• Use only a mild soap or neutral
detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on salted roads.
This helps prevent corrosion.
• Avoid washing the wheels with high-
speed car wash brushes.
INTERIOR CAREINTERIOR GENERAL
PRECAUTIONSPrevent caustic solutions such as
perfume and cosmetic oil from
contacting the dashboard; they may
cause damage or discoloration. If they do
contact the dashboard, wipe them off
immediately.UPHOLSTERY AND
INTERIOR TRIM CLEANINGVINYLFirst, remove dust and loose dirt from
vinyl with a whisk broom or vacuum
cleaner. Then, clean vinyl surfaces with a
vinyl cleaner.
FABRICFirst, remove dust and loose dirt from
fabric with a whisk broom or vacuum
cleaner. Then, clean with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Remove fresh spots immediately
with a fabric spot cleaner. If a fresh spot
do not receive immediate attention, the
fabric may be stained and its color can be
affected. Also, its fire-resistant properties
may be reduced if the material is not
properly maintained.
CAUTION
After washing the vehicle, test the
brakes while driving slowly to see if
they have been affected by water.
CAUTION
Using anything but recommended
cleaners and procedures may affect
the fabric’s appearance and fire-
resistant properties.
MS-CNA-Eng 7.QXD 7/25/2005 5:09 PM Page 40