The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an impact that requires air bag deployment.
A low energy output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy output is used for more severe
collisions.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front passenger seat belt buckle switch that
detects whether the driver or front passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat belt buckle switch may
adjust the inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front passenger seat track position sensors that
may adjust the inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based upon seat position.
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 additional 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 deceleration over time, vehicle speed and damage by
themselves are not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should have deployed.
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 right 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.
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D
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