This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Side Air Bag
Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the driver, front,
and rear passengers sitting next to a window. The
SABIC air bags are located above the side windows and
their covers are also labeled: SRS AIRBAG.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB). The Supplemental Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bags are marked with an air bag label
sewn into the outboard side of the front seats.
NOTE:
• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interiortrim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column • Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
• Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
• Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains
(SABIC)
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
Advanced Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system pro-
vides output 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.
217
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
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 t
he air bag on the instrument
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 bol-
ster in any way.
• Do not mount any accessories to the knee
bolster such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc . Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags
(SAB)
SAB may provide enhanced protection to help protect
an occupant during a side impact. The SAB is marked
with an air bag label sewn into the outboard side of the
front seats.
(fig. 149)
When the air bag deploys, it opens the seam between
the front and side of the seat's trim cover. Each air bag
deploys independently; a left side impact deploys the
left air bag only and a right-side impact deploys the
right air bag only.
(fig. 149)
Seat Mounted Side Air Bag Label
218
KNOWINGYOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC)
SABIC air bags may offer side-impact and vehicle roll-
over protection to front and rear seat outboard occu-
pants in addition to that provided by the body struc-
ture. Each air bag features inflated chambers placed
adjacent to the head of each outboard occupant that
reduce the potential for side-impact head injuries. The
curtains deploy downward, covering both windows on
the impact side.
(fig. 150)
NOTE:
• Should a vehicle rollover occur, the pretensionersand/or SAB and SABIC air bags on both sides of the
vehicle may deploy.
• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• Being too close to the SAB and SABIC air bags during deployment could cause you to be severely injured
or killed.
The system includes side impact sensors that are cali-
brated to deploy the SAB and SABIC air bags during
impacts that require air bag occupant protection.
WARNING!
• Your vehicle is equipped with left and
righ t
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflat-
able Curtain (SABIC), do not stack luggage or
other cargo up high enough to block the location
of the SABIC. The area where the SABIC is lo-
cated should remain free from any obstructions.
• Do not use accessor y seat covers or place ob-
jects between you and the side air bags; the
performance could be adversely affected and/or
objects could be pushed into you, causing serious
injury.
(Continued)
(fig. 150)Supplemental Side Curtain Air Bags
219
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
(Continued)
• Your vehicle is equipped with SABIC air bags,
do not have any accessory items installed which
will alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to
your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require
permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for in-
stallation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the
roof of the vehicle for any reason.
SAB and SABIC air bags are a supplement 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 injured 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.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of
the driver and front passenger, and position the front
occupants for the best interaction with the Advanced
Front Air Bags. Along with seat belts and pretensioners, Advanced
Front Air Bags and the Supplemental Driver Side Knee
Air Bag work with the knee impact bolsters to provide
improved protection for the driver and front passenger.
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, Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags, and
front seat belt pretensioners, as required, depending on
several factors, including the severity and type of impact.
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide
additional protection by supplementing the seat belts
in certain frontal collisions depending on several fac-
tors, including the severity and type of collision. Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags are not expected to reduce the
risk of injury in rear, side, or rollover collisions.
The Advanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, including some that may produce
substantial vehicle damage — for example, some pole
collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and location
220
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
of impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in
crashes with little vehicle front-end damage but that
produce a severe initial deceleration.
The side air bags will not deploy in all side collisions.
Side air bag deployment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle 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 protection 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 system whenever the ignition is in
the 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 approxi-
mately four to eight seconds 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 malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the
instrument cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunc-
tion 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 ins t
rument 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 Infla-
tor Units are located 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
221
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates are possible,
based on several factors, including 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 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 control 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
collision.
Based on the severity and type of collision, the side air
bag inflator on the crash side of the vehicle may be
triggered, releasing a large 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 inflates in about 10 milliseconds. 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 applies to children.
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) Inflator Units
During collisions where the impact is confined to a
particular area of the side of the vehicle, the ORC may
deploy the SABIC air bags, depending on the severity and
type of collision. In these events, the ORC will deploy
the SABIC only on the impact side of the vehicle.
A quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
side curtain air bag. The inflating side curtain air bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the way
and covers the window. The air bag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one-quarter of the time that it takes
to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you
are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side curtain air bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The side
curtain air bag is only about 9 cm thick when it is inflated.
Because air bag sensors estimate deceleration over
time, vehicle speed and damage are not good indicators
of whether or not an air bag should have deployed.
NOTE:
In a rollover the pretensioners and/or SAB and
SABIC air bags may deploy on both sides of the vehicle.
222
KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, impact sensors can aid the ORC
in determining appropriate response to impact events.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the fol-
lowing functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has poweror until the ignition is cycled off.
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
• Unlock the doors automatically.
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response
System functions after an event, the ignition switch
must be changed from IGN ON to IGN OFF.
If A Deployment Occurs
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment. NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:
• The nylon air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags deploy and unfold.
The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or
those you might get sliding along a carpet or gymna-
sium floor. They are not caused by contact with
chemicals. They are not permanent and normally
heal quickly. However, 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 particles 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.
223
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have
deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the
air bags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
sioner s
cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the air bags, seat belt pretension-
ers, and the front seat belt retractor assemblies
replaced by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) system serviced as well.
Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. 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, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Re-
straint 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
“Fuses” in “In An Emergency” 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 purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an
air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that
will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems
performed. The EDR is designed to record data related
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in
this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
224
KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS