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Safety features of your vehicle
How does the air bag system
operate
• Air bags are activated (able to inflate if
necessary) only when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON or START position.
• Air bags inflate instantly in the event of
serious frontal or side collision in order
to help protect the occupants from seri-
ous physical injury.
• There is no single speed at which the air
bags will inflate.
Generally, air bags are designed to
inflate based upon the severity of a colli-
sion and its direction. These two factors
determine whether the sensors produce
an electronic deployment/ inflation sig-
nal.
• Air bag deployment depends on a num-
ber of factors including vehicle speed,
angles of impact and the density and
stiffness of the vehicles or objects which
your vehicle hits in the collision. The
determining, factors are not limited to
those mentioned above.
• The front air bags will completely inflate
and deflate in an instant.
It is virtually impossible for you to see
the air bags inflate during an accident.
It is much more likely that you will simply
see the deflated air bags hanging out of
their storage compartments after the
collision.
• In addition to inflating in certain side
collisions, vehicles equipped with a
rollover sensor, side air bags and cur-
tain air bags will inflate if the sensing
system detects a rollover.
When a rollover is detected, side air
bags and curtain air bags will remain
inflated longer to help provide protec-
tion from ejection, especially when
used in conjunction with the seat belts.
• In order to help provide protection in a
severe collision, the air bags must
inflate rapidly. The speed of air bag
inflation is a consequence of extreme-
ly short time in which a collision occurs
and the need to get the air bag
between the occupant and the vehicle
structures before the occupant impacts
those structures. This speed of inflation
reduces the risk of serious or life-
threatening injuries in a severe colli-
sion and is thus a necessary part of air
bag design.
However, air bag inflation can also
cause injuries which can include facial
abrasions, bruises and broken bones
because the inflation speed also caus-
es the air bags to expand with a great
deal of force.
• There are even circumstances
under which contact with the steer-
ing wheel air bag can cause fatal
injuries, especially if the occupant
is positioned excessively close to
the steering wheel.
WARNING
• To avoid severe personal injury
or death caused by deploying air
bags in a collision, the driver
should sit as far back from the
steering wheel air bag as possible
(at least 250 mm (10 inches)
away). The front passenger should
always move their seat as far
back as possible and sit back in
their seat.
• Air bag inflates instantly in an
event of a collision, passengers
may be injured by the air bag
expansion force if they are not in
a proper position.
• Air bag inflation may cause
injuries including facial or bodily
abrasions, injuries from broken
glasses or burns.
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