NOTE:
Air Bag covers may not be obvious
in the interior trim, but they will
open during air bag deployment. After any accident, the vehicleshould be taken to an autho-
rized dealer immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with
the following air bag system compo-
nents:
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) Air Bag Warning Light
Steering Wheel and Column
Instrument Panel
Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air
Bag Knee Impact Bolster
Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side
Air Bags (SAB)
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflat- able Curtains (SABIC)
Front and Side Impact Sensors (for versions/markets, where provided)
Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch
Advanced Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system
has multistage driver and front passen-
ger air bags. This system provides out-
put appropriate to the severity and
type of collision as determined by the
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC),
which may receive information from
the front impact sensors.The first stage inflator is triggered
immediately during an impact that
requires air bag deployment. This low
output is used in less severe collisions.
A higher energy output is used for
more severe collisions.
WARNING!
No objects should be placed over or near the air bag on the instru-
ment panel, because any such
objects could cause harm if the
vehicle is in a collision severe
enough to cause the air bag to
inflate.
Do not put anything on or around
the air bag covers or attempt to
open them manually. You may
damage the air bags and you could
be injured because the air bags
may no longer be functional. The
protective covers for the air bag
cushions are designed to open only
when the air bags are inflating. Do not drill, cut or tamper with
the knee bolster in any way.
Do not mount any accessories to the
knee bolster such as alarm lights,
stereos, citizen band radios, etc.
37
NOTE:
Air Bag covers may not be obvious
in the interior trim, but they will
open during air bag deployment. Being too close to the side airbags during deployment could
cause you to be severely injured
or killed.
SAB and SABIC air bags are a supple-
ment to the seat belt restraint system.
Occupants, including children who
are up against or very close to SAB or
SABIC air bags can be seriously in-
jured or killed. Occupants, especially
children, should not lean on or sleep
against the door, side windows, or
area where the SAB or SABIC air bags
inflate, even if they are in an infant or
child restraint. Always sit upright as
possible with your back against the
seat back, use the seat belts properly,
and use the appropriate sized child
restraint, infant restraint or booster
seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child. The system includes side impact sen-
sors that are calibrated to deploy the
side air bags during impacts that re-
quire air bag occupant protection.
WARNING!
Your vehicle is equipped with
SABIC air bags, do not have any
accessory items installed which
will alter the roof, including add-
ing a sunroof to your vehicle. Do
not add roof racks that require
permanent attachments (bolts or
screws) for installation on the ve-
hicle roof. Do not drill into the
roof of the vehicle for any reason.
Your vehicle is equipped with left
and right Supplemental Side Air
Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC),
do not stack luggage or other cargo
up high enough to block the loca-
tion of the SABIC. The area where
the SABIC is located should re-
main free from any obstructions.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
Do not use accessory seat covers or
place objects between you and the
side air bags; the performance
could be adversely affected and/or
objects could be pushed into you,
causing serious injury.
Supplemental Driver Side Knee
Air Bag
The Supplemental Driver Side Knee
Air Bag provides enhanced protection
and works together with the Driver
Advanced Front Air Bag during a
frontal impact.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help pro-
tect the knees of the driver and the
front passenger, and position front oc-
cupants for the best interaction with
the Advanced Front Air Bags.
Along with seat belts and pretension-
ers, Advanced Front Air Bags work
with the knee bolsters to provide im-
proved protection for the driver and
39
front passenger. Side air bags also
work with seat belts to improve occu-
pant protection.
Here are some simple steps you can
take to minimize the risk of harm
from a deploying air bag:
Children 12 years old and under
should always ride buckled up in a
rear seat.WARNING!Infants in rear-facing child restraints
should never ride in the front seat of
a vehicle with a passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag. An air bag deploy-
ment can cause severe injury or
death to infants in that position.Children that are not big enough to
wear the vehicle seat belt properly
(see Section on Child Restraints)
should be secured in the rear seat in
child restraints or belt-positioning
booster seats. Older children who do
not use child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats should ride
properly buckled up in the rear seat.Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under
their arm.
You should read the instructions pro-
vided with your child restraint to make
sure that you are using it properly.All occupants should always wear
their lap and shoulder belts properly.
The driver and front passenger seats
should be moved back as far as prac-
tical to allow the Advanced Front Air
Bags room to inflate.
Do not lean against the door or win-
dow. If your vehicle has side air bags,
and deployment occurs, the side air
bags will inflate forcefully into the
space between you and the door.If the air bag system in this vehicle
needs to be modified to accommodate a
disabled person, contact the Customer
Center. Phone numbers are provided
under "If You Need Assistance".
WARNING!
Relying on the air bags alone
could lead to more severe injuries
in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions,
the air bags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even
though you have air bags.
Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during
Advanced Front Air Bag deploy-
ment could cause serious injury,
including death. Air Bags need
room to inflate. Sit back, com-
fortably extending your arms to
reach the steering wheel or in-
strument panel.
Side air bags also need room to inflate. Do not lean against the
door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
40
Air Bag Deployment Sensors
And Controls
Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC)
The ORC is part of a regulated safety
system required for this vehicle.
The ORC determines if deployment of
the front and/or side air bags in a
frontal or side collision is required.
Based on the impact sensor's signals,
a central electronic ORC deploys the
Advanced Front Air Bags, SABIC air
bags, SAB, Supplemental Driver Side
Knee Air Bag, and front seat belt pre-
tensioners, as required, depending on
several factors, including the severity
and type of impact.
Advanced Front Air Bags and Supple-
mental Driver Side Knee Air Bag are
designed to provide additional protec-
tion by supplementing the seat belts
in certain frontal collisions depending
on several factors, including the se-
verity and type of collision. Advanced
Front Air Bags are not expected to
reduce the risk of injury in rear, side,
or rollover collisions.The Advanced Front Air Bags and
Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air
Bag will not deploy in all frontal col-
lisions, including some that may pro-
duce substantial vehicle damage —
for example, some pole collisions,
truck underrides, and angle offset col-
lisions. On the other hand, depending
on the type and location of impact,
Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy
in crashes with little vehicle front-end
damage but that produce a severe ini-
tial deceleration.
The side air bags will not deploy in all
side collisions. Side air bag deploy-
ment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure ve-
hicle deceleration over time, vehicle
speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not
an air bag should have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your pro-
tection in all collisions, and also are
needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.
The ORC monitors the readiness of
the electronic parts of the air bag sys-
tem whenever the ignition is in the
START or ON/RUN position. If the
ignition is in the OFF position or in
the ACC position, the air bag system
is not on and the air bags will not
inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power
supply system that may deploy the air
bags even if the battery loses power
or it becomes disconnected prior to
deployment.
Also, the ORC turns on the
Air Bag Warning Light in the
instrument panel for ap-
proximately four to eight sec-
onds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned on. After the self-
check, the Air Bag Warning Light will
turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunc-
tion in any part of the system, it turns on
the Air Bag Warning Light, either mo-
mentarily or continuously. A single
chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial startup.
41
It also includes diagnostics that will
illuminate the instrument cluster Air
Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag
system. The diagnostics also record
the nature of the malfunction.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
detects a collision requiring the
Advanced Front Air Bags, it signals
the inflator units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate
the Advanced Front Air Bags. Differ-
ent 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
upper 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 Driver Side Knee
Air Bag Inflator Unit
The Supplemental Driver Side Knee
Air Bag unit is located in the instru-
ment panel trim beneath the steering
column. When the ORC detects a col-
lision requiring the Advanced Front
Air Bags, it signals the inflator units.A large quantity of non-toxic gas is
generated to inflate the Supplemental
Driver Side Knee Air Bag. The trim
cover separates and folds out of the
way allowing the air bag to inflate to
the full size. The air bag fully inflates
in about 15 to 20 milliseconds. The
Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air
Bag gas is vented through small vent
holes in the side of the air bag.
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side
Air Bag (SAB) Inflator Units
The Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side
Air Bags (SAB) are designed to acti-
vate 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.
42
If you do have a collision, which de-
ploys the air bags, any or all of the
following may occur:
The nylon air bag material maysometimes cause abrasions and/or
skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags de-
ploy 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. How-
ever, if you haven't healed signifi-
cantly within a few days, or if you
have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
As the air bags deflate, you may see
some smoke-like particles. The par-
ticles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the non-toxic
gas used for air bag inflation. These
airborne particles may irritate the
skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you
have skin or eye irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or
throat irritation, move to fresh air.
If the irritation continues, see your
doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment
manufacturer's instructions for
cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air
bags have deployed. If you are in-
volved in another collision, the air bags
will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt
pretensioners 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 System
WARNING!
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 af-
termarket side steps or running
boards.
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.
(Continued)
44
WARNING!(Continued)
Do not attempt to modify any part
of your air bag system. The air bag
may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifica-
tions are made. Take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat,
including your trim cover and
cushion, needs to be serviced in
any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat at-
tachment bolts), take the vehicle
to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat ac-
cessories may be used. If it is nec-
essary to modify the air bag system
for persons with disabilities, con-
tact your authorized 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.
NOTE:
If the speedometer, ta-
chometer, or any engine related
gauges are not working, the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller (ORC)
may also be disabled. The air bags
may not be ready to inflate for your
protection. Promptly check the fuse
block for blown fuses. Refer to the
label located on the inside of the
fuse block cover for the proper air
bag fuses. See your authorized
dealer if the fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)This vehicle is equipped with an event
data recorder (EDR). The main pur-
pose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hit-
ting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s
systems performed. The EDR is de-
signed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a
short period of time, typically 30 sec-
onds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as: How various systems in your ve-
hicle were operating;
Whether or not the driver and pas- senger safety belts were
buckled/fastened;
How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or
brake pedal; and,
How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.
45
NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a non-trivial
crash situation occurs; no data are
recorded by the EDR under normal
driving conditions and no personal
data (e.g., name, gender, age, and
crash location) are recorded. How-
ever, other parties, such as law en-
forcement, could combine the EDR
data with the type of personally
identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR,
special equipment is required, and ac-
cess to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle
manufacturer, other parties, such as
law enforcement, that have the spe-
cial equipment, can read the informa-
tion if they have access to the vehicle
or the EDR. CHILD RESTRAINTS
Everyone in your vehicle needs to
be buckled up all the time, including
babies and children.
Children 12 years or younger should
ride properly buckled up in a rear
seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear seats
rather than in the front.
WARNING!
“Extreme Hazard! Do not use a
rearward-facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an air bag
in front of it!” Refer to visor and
door shut face mounted labels for
information.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby, can be-
come a projectile inside the ve-
hicle. The force required to hold
even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could
not hold the child, no matter how
strong you are. The child and
others could be badly injured.
Any child riding in your vehicle
should be in a proper restraint for
the child's size.
There are different sizes and types of
restraints for children from newborn
size to the child almost large enough
for an adult safety belt. Always check
the child seat Owner's Manual to en-
sure you have the correct seat for your
child. Use the restraint that is correct
for your child.
46