passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat belt
buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of
the passenger multistage Front Air Bag.
WARNING!
• No objects should be placed over or near
the air bag on the instrument panel or
steering wheel 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.
• 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,
air bags won’t deploy at all. Always wear
your seat belts even though you have air
bags.
Front Air Bag Operation
Front Air Bags are designed to provide addi-
tional protection by supplementing the seat
belts. Front air bags are not expected to
reduce the risk of injury in rear, side, or
rollover collisions. The 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 of impact, front air bags may
deploy in crashes with little vehicle front-end
damage but that produce a severe initial
deceleration.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle de-
celeration over time, vehicle speed and dam-
age by themselves are not good indicators of
whether or not an air bag should have de-
ployed.
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.When the ORC detects a collision requiring
the front air bags, it signals the inflator units.
A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated
to inflate the front air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper passenger side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the air
bags inflate to their full size. The front air
bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. The front air bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
Passenger Air Bag Disable Feature — If
Equipped
This system allows the driver to DISABLE
(OFF) the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
if a child restraintmustbe installed in the
front seat. Only DISABLE (OFF) the Passen-
ger Advanced Front Air Bag if it is absolutely
necessary to install a child restraint in the
front seat. Children 12 years or younger
should ride properly buckled up in a rear seat,
if available. According to crash statistics,
111
children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front. (Refer
to “Child Restraints” in this section for fur-
ther information.)
WARNING!
• A DISABLED (OFF) Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag is deactivated and will not
deploy in a collision.
• A DISABLED (OFF) Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag will not provide a front
passenger additional protection by
supplementing the seat belts.
• Do not install a child restraint in the
front seat unless the Passenger Air Bag
DISABLE (OFF) Indicator light
on
the overhead sports bar is illuminated to
show that the Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag is DISABLED (OFF).
• In a collision, you and your passengers
can suffer much greater injuries if you
are not properly buckled up. You can
strike the interior of your vehicle or other
passengers, or you can be thrown out of
the vehicle. Always be sure you and
WARNING!
others in your vehicle are buckled up
properly.
The Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag can
be ENABLED (ON) or DISABLED (OFF) by
selecting the desired setting in the instru-
ment cluster display menu. For more infor-
mation on how to access the instrument clus-
ter display, refer to “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel”.
The Passenger Air Bag DISABLE Feature con-
sists of the following:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•
Passenger Air Bag DISABLE (OFF)
Indicator Light — an amber light located on
the overhead sports bar
•
Passenger Air Bag ENABLE (ON) Indi-
cator Light — an amber light located on the
overhead sports bar
•
Air Bag Warning Light — an amber
light located in the instrument cluster
displayThe Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
monitors the readiness of the electronic parts
of the air bag system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or ON/RUN position.
The ORC illuminates the Passenger Air Bag
DISABLE (OFF) Indicator Light and the Pas-
senger Air Bag ENABLE (ON) Indicator Light
on the overhead sports bar for approximately
five to eight seconds for a self-check when
the ignition switch is first in the START or
ON/RUN position. After the self-check, the
Passenger Air Bag Indicator Lights
SAFETY
112
The SABs (if equipped with SABs) may help
to reduce the risk of occupant injury during
certain side impacts, in addition to the injury
reduction potential provided by the seat belts
and body structure.
When the SAB deploys, it opens the seam on
the outboard side of the seatback’s trim
cover. The inflating SAB deploys through the
seat seam into the space between the occu-
pant and the door. The SAB moves at a veryhigh speed and with such a high force that it
could injure occupants if they are not seated
properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the SAB inflates. Children are at an
even greater risk of injury from a deploying air
bag.
WARNING!
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.
Side Impacts
The Side Air Bags are designed to activate in
certain side impacts. The Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) determines whether the de-
ployment of the Side Air Bags in a particular
impact event is appropriate, based on the
severity and type of collision. The side impact
sensors aid the ORC in determining the ap-
propriate response to impact events. The sys-
tem is calibrated to deploy the Side Air Bags
on the impact side of the vehicle during
impacts that require Side Air Bag occupantprotection. In side impacts, the Side Air Bags
deploy independently; a left side impact de-
ploys the left Side Air Bags only and a right-
side impact deploys the right Side Air Bags
only. Vehicle damage by itself is not a good
indicator of whether or not Side Air Bags
should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side
collisions, including some collisions at cer-
tain angles, or some side collisions that do
not impact the area of the passenger com-
partment. The Side Air Bags may deploy
during angled or offset frontal collisions
where the front air bags deploy.
Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat
belt restraint system. Side Air Bags deploy in
less time than it takes to blink your eyes.
WARNING!
• Occupants, including children, who are
up against or very close to Side Air Bags
can be seriously injured or killed. Occu-
pants, including children, should never
lean on or sleep against the door, side
windows, or area where the side air bags
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag
Label
117
WARNING!
inflate, even if they are in an infant or
child restraint.
• Seat belts (and child restraints where
appropriate) are necessary for your pro-
tection in all collisions. They also help
keep you in position, away from an in-
flating Side Air Bag. To get the best
protection from the Side Air Bags, occu-
pants must wear their seat belts properly
and sit upright with their backs against
the seats. Children must be properly
restrained in a child restraint or booster
seat that is appropriate for the size of the
child.
WARNING!
• Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do
not lean against the door or window. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.
• Being too close to the Side Air Bags
during deployment could cause you to
be severely injured or killed.
• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could
lead to more severe injuries in a colli-
WARNING!
sion. The Side Air Bags work with your
seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t
deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt
even though you have Side Air Bags.
NOTE:
Air bag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open during air bag
deployment.
Air Bag System Components
NOTE:
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
monitors the internal circuits and intercon-
necting wiring associated with electrical Air
Bag System Components listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
If A Deployment Occurs
The 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 air bag material may sometimes cause
abrasions and/or skin reddening to the oc-
cupants 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 gymnasium floor. They are not
caused by contact with chemicals. They are
not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly
within a few days, or if you have any blis-
tering, see your doctor immediately.
SAFETY
118
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some
smoke-like particles. The particles are a
normal by-product of the process that gen-
erates the non-toxic gas used for air bag
inflation. These airborne particles may irri-
tate 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 manufac-
turer’s instructions for cleaning.
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-
sioners cannot protect you in another col-
lision. Have the air bags, seat belt preten-
sioners, and the seat belt retractor
assemblies replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller System serviced
as well.NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open during air
bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be
taken to an authorized dealer immediately.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communica-
tion 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 Sys-
tem perform the following functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine (If Equipped)
• Cut off battery power to the electric motor
(If Equipped)
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery
has power
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on
as long as the battery has power or for 15
minutes from the intervention of the En-
hanced Accident Response System.
• Unlock the power door locks.Your vehicle may also be designed to perform
any of these other functions in response to
the Enhanced Accident Response System:
• Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the
HVAC Blower Motor, Close the HVAC Circu-
lation Door
• Cut off battery power to the:
– Engine
– Electric Motor (if equipped)
– Electric power steering
– Brake booster
– Electric park brake
– Automatic transmission gear selector
– Horn
– Front wiper
– Headlamp washer pump
NOTE:
After an accident, remember to cycle the
ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position
and remove the key from the ignition switch
to avoid draining the battery. Carefully check
the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine com-
partment and on the ground near the engine
compartment and fuel tank before resetting
the system and starting the engine. If there
are no fuel leaks or damage to the vehicle
119
electrical devices (e.g. headlights) after an
accident, reset the system by following the
procedure described below. If you have any
doubt, contact an authorized dealer.
Enhanced Accident Response System Reset
Procedure
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System functions after an event, the
ignition switch must be changed from igni-
tion START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF. Care-
fully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the
engine compartment and on the ground near
the engine compartment and fuel tank before
resetting the system and starting the engine.
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
WARNING!
cover or the upper passenger side of the
instrument panel. Do not modify the
front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running
boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of
the air bag system yourself. 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 prop-
erly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, in-
cluding your trim cover and cushion,
needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer. Only manufac-
turer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air
bag system for persons with disabilities,
contact an authorized dealer.
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;
• 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 under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur.
SAFETY
120
WARNING!
12 years or younger, including a child in
a rear-facing child restraint.
• In a collision, an unrestrained child can
become a projectile inside the vehicle.
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 or killed. Any
child riding in your vehicle should be in
a proper restraint for the child’s size.
There are different sizes and types of re-
straints for children from newborn size to the
child almost large enough for an adult safety
belt. Children should ride rearward facing as
long as possible; this is the most protected
position for a child in the event of a crash.
Always check the child seat Owner’s Manual
to make sure you have the correct seat for
your child. Carefully read and follow all the
instructions and warnings in the child re-
straint Owner’s Manual and on all the labels
attached to the child restraint.In Europe, children restraint systems are de-
fined by regulation ECE-R44, which divides
them into five weight groups:
Restraint Group Weight Group
Group 0 up to 10 kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
Check the label of your child restraint. All
approved child restraints must include type-
approval data and the control mark on its
label. The label must be permanently se-
cured to the child restraint system. You
should not remove this label from the child
restraint.
WARNING!
Extreme Hazard! Do not place a rear-
facing child restraint in front of an active
air bag. Refer to visor mounted labels for
information. Deployment of the air bag in
an accident could cause fatal injuries to
the baby regardless of the severity of the
WARNING!
collision. It is advisable to always carry
children in a child restraint system on the
rear seat, which is the most protected
position in the event of a collision.
WARNING!
Should it be necessary to carry a child on
the passenger side front seat in a rear-
facing child restraint system, the passen-
ger side front airbag and side bag (for
versions/markets, where provided) must
be deactivated through the Setup menu.
Deactivation should be verified by check-
ing whether the warning light is switched
on in the instrument panel. The passenger
seat must also be positioned backward as
far as possible to avoid the child restraint
system from coming into contact with the
dashboard.
“Universal” Child Restraint Systems
• The figures in the following sections are
examples of each type of universal child
restraint system. Typical installations are
SAFETY
122
shown. Always install your child restraint
system according to the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions, which must be
included with this type of restraint system.
• See the section “Installing Child Restraints
Using the Vehicle Seat Belt” for the steps to
properly lock the seat belt over the child
restraint.
• Child restraint systems with ISOFIX anchor-
ages are available for installing the child
restraint system to the vehicle without us-
ing the vehicle’s seat belts.
Group 0 And 0+
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward facing in the vehicle as long as
possible. Infants up to 13 kg must be re-
strained in a rear-facing seat like the child
seat shown in fig. A. This type of child re-
straint supports the child’s head and does not
induce stress on the neck in the event of
sudden decelerations or a crash.
The rear-facing child restraint is restrained by
the vehicle’s seat belts, as shown in fig. A.
The child seat restrains the child with its own
harness.
WARNING!
• Never place a rear-facing child restraint
in front of an active air bag. A deploying
passenger Front Air Bag can cause death
or serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.
• Always deactivate the front air bag when
using a rear-facing child restraint in the
front seat.
Group 1
Children who weigh between 9 kg and 18 kg
may be carried in a Group 1, forward facing
seat like the one in fig. B. This type of child
restraint is for older children who are too big
for a Group 0 or 0+ child restraint.
Fig. A
Fig. B
123