2-45
Saf
ety system of y
our v
ehicle
2
• Air bag deployment depends on a
number of factors including vehicle
speed, angles of impact and the densi-
ty and stiffness of the vehicles or
objects which your vehicle impacts
during a collision. The determining fac-
tors are not limited to those mentioned
above.
• The front air bags will completely
inflate and deflate in an instant. It is vir-
tually 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 and curtain air
bags will inflate if the sensing system
detects a rollover.
When a rollover is detected, side and
curtain air bags will remain inflated
longer to help provide protection from
ejection, especially when used in con-
junction with the seat belts.
• To help provide protection, the air bags
must inflate rapidly. The speed of air
bag inflation is a consequence of
extremely short time in which to inflate
the air bag between the occupant and
the vehicle structures before the occu-
pant impacts those structures. This
speed of inflation reduces the risk of
serious or life-threatening injuries and
is thus a necessary part of air bag
design.
However, the rapid air bag inflation can
also cause injuries which can include
facial abrasions, bruises and broken
bones because the inflation speed also
causes the air bags to expand with a
great deal of force.
• There are even circumstances under
which contact with the air bag can
cause fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned excessively
close to the air bag.
You can take steps to help reduce the
risk of being injured by an inflating air
bag. The greatest risk is sitting too close
to the air bag. An air bag needs about 10
inches (25 cm) of space to inflate.
NHTSA recommends that drivers allow
at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the
center of the steering wheel and the
chest.
To reduce the risk of serious injury
or death from an inflating air bag,
take the following precautions:
•
NEVER place a child restraint in
the front passenger seat.
Always properly restrain children
under age 13 in the rear seats of
the vehicle.
•
Adjust the front passenger’s and
driver's seats as far to the rear as
possible while allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehi-
cle.
•
Hold the steering wheel with
hands at the 9 o'clock and 3
o'clock positions.
•
Never place anything or anyone
between the air bag and the seat
occupant.
•
Do not allow the front passenger
to place their feet or legs on the
dashboard.
WARNING
Summary of Contents for Elantra 2018
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