
45
uuAirbags uAirbag System Components
Continued
Safe Driving
The front, front side, and side curtain 
airbags are deployed according to the 
direction and severity of impact. Both side 
curtain airbags are deployed in a rollover. 
The airbag system includes:
aTwo SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) 
front airbags. The driver’s airbag is stored 
in the center of the steering wheel; the 
front passenger’s airbag is stored in the 
dashboard. Both are marked  SRS 
AIRBAG.
bTwo side airbags, one for the driver and 
one for the front passenger. The airbags 
are stored in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked  SIDE AIRBAG.
cTwo side curtain ai rbags, one for each 
side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored 
in the ceiling, above the side windows. 
The front and rear pillars are marked 
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG .
dAn electronic control unit that, when the 
power mode is in ON, continually 
monitors information about the various 
impact sensors, seat and buckle sensors, 
rollover sensor, airbag activators, seat 
belt tensioners, passenger seat weight 
sensors, driver’s seat position sensor, 
passenger airbag off indicator and other 
vehicle information. During a crash event 
the unit can record such information.
eSeat belt tensioners for the front seats. In 
addition, the driver’s and front 
passenger’s seat belt  buckles incorporate 
sensors that detect whether or not the 
belts are fastened.
fDriver’s seat position sensor. This sensor 
detects the driver’s s eat slide position to 
help determine the optimal deployment 
of the driver’s airbag.
gWeight sensors in the front passenger’s 
seat. The sensors are used for occupant 
classification to activate or deactivate the 
front passenger’s airbag.
hImpact sensors that can detect a 
moderate-to-severe front or side impact.
iAn indicator on the dashboard that alerts 
you that the front passenger’s front 
airbag has been turned off.
jAn indicator on the instrument panel that 
alerts you to a possib le problem with your 
airbag system or seat belt tensioners.
kSafing Sensor
lA rollover sensor that can detect if your 
vehicle is about to ro ll over and signal the 
control unit to deploy both side curtain 
airbags. 

uuAirbags uAirbag System Components
46
Safe DrivingAirbags can pose serious hazards. To do  their job, airbags must inflate with 
tremendous force. So, while airbags help save lives, they can cause burns, bruises, 
and other minor injuries, sometimes even fatal ones if occupants are not wearing 
their seat belts properly and sitting correctly.
What you should do:  Always wear your seat belt  properly, and sit upright and as 
far back from the steering wheel as possi ble while allowing full control of the 
vehicle. A front passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as 
possible.
Remember, however, that no safety system  can prevent all injuries or deaths that 
can occur in a severe crash,  even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags 
deploy.
Do not place hard or sharp objects  between yourself and a front airbag.  
Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap,  or driving with a pipe or other sharp 
object in your mouth, can result in in juries if your front airbag inflates.
Do not attach or place object s on the front airbag covers. Objects on the 
covers marked SRS AIRBAG could interfere with the pr oper operation of the airbags 
or be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone if the airbags inflate.
■Important Facts About Your Airbags1 Important Facts About Your Airbags
Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags. Together, 
airbags and seat belts pr ovide the best protection.
When driving, keep hands and arms out of the 
deployment path of the front airbag by holding each 
side of the steering wheel.  Do not cross an arm over 
the airbag cover. 

uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
50
Safe DrivingThe airbags have advanced features to help reduce the likelihood of airbag related 
injuries to smaller occupants.
The driver’s advanced airbag system includes a 
seat position sensor.
Based on information from this sensor and the 
severity of the impact, the advanced airbag 
system determines the optimal deployment of 
the driver’s airbag.
The front passenger’s advanced airbag system 
has weight sensors. The sensors are used for 
occupant classification to activate or 
deactivate the front  passenger’s airbag.
For adult size occupants, the system will 
automatically activate the front passenger’s 
airbag. If a small adult sits in the front 
passenger seat and the system does not 
recognize him/her as  an adult, see 
2Passenger Airbag Off Indicator  P. 56
■Advanced Airbags1Advanced Airbags
If there is a problem with the driver’s seat position 
sensor or the passenger’s s eat weight sensors, the 
SRS indicator will come on, and in the event of a 
crash, the airbag will deploy (regardless of the driver’s 
seating position or  passenger’s occupant 
classification) with a force corresponding to the 
severity of the impact. 2 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) 
Indicator  P. 55
For the advanced front airbags to work properly, 
confirm that:
•The occupant is sitting  in an upright position, 
wearing the seat belt prope rly and the seat back is 
not excessively reclined.
•The occupant is not leaning against the door or 
center console.
•The occupant’s feet are plac ed on the floor in front 
of them.
•There are no objects ha nging from the front 
passenger’s seat.
•Only small, lightweight objec ts are in the seat back 
pocket.
•The steering wheel and passenger’s side dashboard 
are not obstructed by any object.
•No liquid has been spille d on or under the seat.
Driver’s 
Seat 
Position 
Sensor
Passenger’s 
Seat 
Weight 
Sensors 

51
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
We advise against allowing a  child age 12 or under to ride in the front passenger’s 
seat. However, if you do allow a small child  or infant to ride in the front passenger’s 
seat, the system is  designed to automatically deactiva te the front passenger’s airbag. 
Do not let a small child or infant ride in the front passenger’s seat if the airbag does 
not automatically deactivate.1 Advanced Airbags
•There is no child seat or  other object pressing 
against the rear of the seat or seat back.
•There is no rear passenger pushing or pulling on 
the back of the front passenger’s seat.
•There are no objects placed under or beside the 
front passenger’s seat . Improperly positioned 
objects can interfere with the advanced airbag 
sensors.
•The head restraint is  not contacting the roof.
2 Passenger Airbag Off Indicator  P. 56
•The floor mat behind the front passenger’s seat is 
hooked to the floor mat anchor. An improperly 
placed mat can interfere with the advanced airbag 
sensors. 2Floor Mats  P. 530 

57
uuAirbags uAirbag System Indicators
Safe Driving
1Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
The passenger airbag off  indicator may come on and 
go off periodically if the tota l weight on the seat is 
near the airbag cutoff threshold. For a small adult, 
depending on physique and posture, the system may 
not recognize him/her as an adult and thus deactivate 
the passenger’s airbag.
If this occurs, please confirm that the conditions set 
forth in the above bullet  points on the previous page 
are met.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as 
possible if:
•All of the above conditions are met, and the 
indicator comes on with an adult seated in the 
front passenger seat.
•The seat is empty and the indicator is on.
Do not allow an adult passe nger to ride in the front 
seat when the indicator is on. 

uuChild Safety uProtecting Child Passengers
60
Safe Driving
• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the 
event of a collision.
• Never put a seat belt over yourself and  a child. During a crash, the belt would 
likely press deep into the child an d cause serious or fatal injuries.
• Never let two children use the same seat  belt. Both children could be very 
seriously injured in a crash.
• Any child who is too small to wear a seat  belt correctly must be restrained in an 
approved child seat that is properly secu red to the vehicle using either the seat 
belt or the lower anchor s of the LATCH system.
• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.
• Do not leave children in  the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when 
the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough  to kill them. They could also activate 
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.1 Protecting Child Passengers
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle 
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
To remind you of the pa ssenger’s front airbag 
hazards and child safety,  your vehicle has warning 
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the 
front visors. Please read and follow the instructions 
on these labels. 2 Safety Labels  P. 75
3WARNING
Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or 
wrap one around their neck can result in 
serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat 
belt and make sure any unused seat belt a 
child can reach is buckled, fully retracted, 
and locked.
3WARNING
Allowing a child to play on the pickup bed 
can result in serious injury or death by 
opening or closing the tailgate.