2-26
BEFORE DRIVING
76MH1-74E
76MH1-74E
80J105E
Collision with a fixed wall or guardrail atan angle of greater than about 30 degrees (1) from the front
80J106
In frontal collisions with a fixed wall thatdoes not move or deform in less thanabout 25 km/h (15 mph)
80J107
Collision angle is offset from the vehicleangle (offset collision)
How the system worksIn a frontal collision, the crash sensors will detect rapid deceleration, and if the control-ler judges that the deceleration represents asevere frontal crash, the controller will trig- ger the inflators. The inflators inflate the airbags with nitrogen or argon gas. The inflated air bags provide a cushion for yourhead and upper body. The air bag inflatesand deflates so quickly that you may noteven realize that it has activated. The airbag will neither hinder your view nor make itharder to exit the vehicle.
Air bags must inflate quickly and forcefully in order to reduce the chance of serious or fatal injuries. However, an unavoidable con-sequence of the quick inflation is that the airbag may irritate bare skin, such as the facialarea. Also, upon inflation, a loud noise willoccur and some powder and smoke will be released. These conditions are not harmful and do not indicate a fire in the vehicle. Beaware, however, that some air bag compo-nents may be hot for a while after inflation.
A seat belt helps keep you in the proper position for maximum protection when an airbag inflates. Adjust your seat as far back aspossible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your seat; sit upstraight; do not lean over the steering wheel or dashboard. Please refer to the “FrontSeat” section and the “Seat Belts and ChildRestraint Systems” section in this sectionfor details on proper seat and seat belt adjustments.
65D610
(1)
WA R N I N G
• The driver should not lean over thesteering wheel. The front passen- ger should not rest his or her body against the dashboard, or other- wise get too close to the dash-board. In these situations, the out- of-position occupant would be too close to an inflating air bag, andmay suffer severe injury.• Do not attach any objects to, orplace any objects over, the steeringwheel or dashboard. Do not place any objects between the air bag and the driver or front passenger.These objects may interfere with air bag operation or may be propelled by the air bag in the event of acrash. Either of these conditions may cause severe injury.
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