SSS1092
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IM-
PACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG AND
ROOF-MOUNTED CURTAIN SIDE-
IMPACT AND ROLLOVER SUPPLE-
MENTAL AIR BAG SYSTEMS
The side air bags are located in the
outside of the seatback of the front seats.
The curtain air bags are located in the
side roof rails.All of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual
apply and must be followed. The side air
bags and curtain air bags are designed to
inflate in higher severity side collisions,
although they may inflate if the forces in
another type of collision are similar to
those of a higher severity side impact. They are designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted. They may
not inflate in certain side collisions on the
side where the vehicle is impacted.
Curtain air bags are also designed to
inflate in certain types of rollover colli-
sions or near rollovers. As a result, certain
vehicle movements (for example, during
severe off roading) may cause the curtain
air bags to inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper side air
bag and curtain air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain air bags
inflate, a fairly loud noise may be heard,
followed by release of smoke. This smoke
is not harmful and does not indicate a fire.
Care should be taken not to inhale it, as it
may cause irritation and choking. Those
with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat
belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the chest and pelvis of the front occu-
pants. Curtain air bags help to cushion
the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in the front and rear (2nd and 3rd)
outboard seating positions. They can help
save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating side air bags and
curtain air bags may cause abrasions or
other injuries. Side air bags and curtain airbags do not provide restraint to the lower
body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn
and the driver and passenger seated
upright as far as practical away from the
side air bag. Rear seat passengers should
be seated as far away as practical from
the door finishers and side roof rails. The
side air bags and curtain air bags inflate
quickly in order to help protect the
occupants. Because of this, the force of
the side air bags and curtain air bags
inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to, or is against,
these air bag modules during inflation. In
a rollover, the curtain air bags on both
sides are designed to inflate. Under both
side-impact situations, the curtain air
bags will remain inflated for a short
period of time.
The side air bags and curtain air bags
operate only when the ignition switch is
in the ON position.
After placing the ignition switch in the
ON position, the supplemental air bag
warning light illuminates. The air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the systems are operational.
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-69
