WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light
in your instrument panel could
mean you won't have the air bags to
protect you in a collision. If the light
does not come on as a bulb check
when the ignition is first turned on,
stays on after you start the vehicle,
or if it comes on as you drive, have
an authorized dealer service the air
bag system immediately.
Driver And Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag Inflator Units are lo-
cated in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the
instrument panel. When the ORC de-
tects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the
inflator units. A large quantity of non-
toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different
air bag inflation rates are possible,
based on several factors, including the collision type and severity. The steer-
ing wheel hub trim cover and the up-
per right side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the
air bags inflate to their full size. The
air bags fully inflate in about 50 to
70 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The air bags then quickly deflate
while helping to restrain the driver
and front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is
vented through the vent holes in the
sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your con-
trol of the vehicle.
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side
Air Bag (SAB) Inflator Units
The Supplemental Seat-Mounted
Side Air Bags (SAB) are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions.
The ORC determines if a side collision
requires the side air bags to inflate,
based on the severity and type of col-
lision.Based on the severity and type of col-
lision, the side air bag inflator on the
crash side of the vehicle may be trig-
gered, releasing a quantity of non-
toxic gas. The inflating SAB exits
through the seat seam into the space
between the occupant and the door.
The SAB fully inflate in about 10 mil-
liseconds. The side air bag 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
air bag inflates. This especially ap-
plies to children.
Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, impact sen-
sors can aid the ORC in determining
appropriate response to impact
events.
35
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt pre-
tensioners cannot protect you in
another collision. Have the air
bags, seat belt pretensioners, and
the front seat belt retractor assem-
blies replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the
Occupant Restraint Controller Sys-
tem serviced as well.
Maintaining Your Air Bag SystemWARNING!
Modifications to any part of the air bag system could cause it to
fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is
not there to protect you. Do not
modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of
badges or stickers to the steering
wheel hub trim cover or the upper
right side of the instrument panel.
Do not modify the front bumper,
vehicle body structure, or add
aftermarket side steps or running
boards.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air bag system your-
self. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has
an air bag system.
Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag system. The
air bag may inflate accidentally
or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take
your vehicle to an authorized
dealer for any air bag system ser-
vice. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to
be serviced in any way (including
removal or loosening/tightening
of seat attachment bolts), take
the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify
the air bag system for persons
with disabilities, contact your au-
thorized dealer. Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the
air bags ready to inflate for
your protection in a colli-
sion. The Air Bag Warning
Light monitors the internal circuits
and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical compo-
nents. While the air bag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If
any of the following occurs, have an
authorized dealer service the air bag
system immediately.
The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during the four to eight
seconds when the ignition is first
cycled to the ON/RUN.
The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to eight-second
interval.
The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or remains on
while driving.
37
Air Bag Warning LightThe light should come on
and remain on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb
check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is
not lit during starting, see your autho-
rized dealer. If the light stays on,
flickers, or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the de-
frost mode and place the blower con-
trol on high speed. You should be able
to feel the air directed against the
windshield. See your authorized
dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable. Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit
the footwell of your vehicle. Use only
floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly se-
cured so that they cannot slip out of
position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your ve-
hicle in other ways.
WARNING!
Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury.
Always make sure that floor mats
are properly attached to the floor
mat fasteners.
Never place or install floor mats or other floor coverings in the ve-
hicle that cannot be properly se-
cured to prevent them from mov-
ing and interfering with the
pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Never put floor mats or other floor
coverings on top of already in-
stalled floor mats. Additional floor
mats and other coverings will re-
duce the size of the pedal area and
interfere with the pedals. Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Always properly re-
install and secure floor mats that
have been removed for cleaning.
Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the driver foot-
well while the vehicle is moving.
Objects can become trapped un-
der the brake pedal and accelera-
tor pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
If required, mounting posts must be properly installed, if not
equipped from the factory.Failure to properly follow floor mat
installation or mounting can cause
interference with the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal operation
causing loss of control of the vehicle.
49