WARNING!
Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you will not have the airbags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked
immediately.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units are
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to
inflate the Advanced Front Airbags. Different airbag
inflation rates are possible, based on the collision type
and severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and
the upper right side of the instrument panel separate
and fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 millisec-
onds. This is about half of the time it takes to blink
your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while helping
to restrain the driver and front passenger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.
•The
Side Impact (SRS) Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
(If Equipped) are designed to activate only in certain
side collisions.
The ORC determines if a side collision requires the
side airbags to inflate based on the severity and type of
collision.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or ON positions. These include all of the items previously
mentioned.
based on the severity and type of collision, the side airbag
inflator on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered,
releasing a quantity of non-toxic gas. The inflating side
airbag exits through the seat seam into the space between
the occupant and the door. The side airbags fully inflate
in about 10 milliseconds. The side airbag moves at a very
high speed and with such a high force, that it could injure
you if you are not seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side airbag inflates. This
especially applies to children.
•TheKnee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.
If a Deployment Occurs
The airbags are designed to deflate immediately after
deployment.
NOTE: Front and/or side airbags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the airbag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you have not healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
