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
