Suzuki VITARA Series, Owner'S Manual

Page: 80 / 482

2-58
BEFORE DRIVING
54P00-01E
80J125
• Crash from the side by a motorcycle or
bicycle
80J126
• Crash with a utility pole or stumpage
80J110
• Vehicle rollover
How the system works
In a frontal crash, the crash sensors will
detect rapid deceleration, and if the con-
troller judges that the deceleration rep-
resents a severe frontal crash, the
controller will trigger the inflators. If your
vehicle is equipped with side air bags and
side curtain air bags, crash sensors will
detect a side crash, and if the controller
judges that the side crash is severe
enough, it will trigger the side air bag and
side curtain air bag inflators. The inflators
inflate the appropriate air bags with nitro-
gen or argon gas. The inflated air bags
provide a cushion for your head (front air
bags and side curtain air bags only) and
upper body. The air bag inflates and
deflates so quickly that you may not even
realize that it has activated. The air bag will
neither hinder your view nor make it harder
to exit the vehicle.
Air bags must inflate quickly and forcefully
in order to reduce the chance of serious or
fatal injuries. However, an unavoidable
consequence of the quick inflation is that
the air bag may irritate bare skin, such as
the facial area against a front air bag. Also,
upon inflation, a loud noise will occur and
some powder and smoke will be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle. Be aware,
however, that some air bag components
may be hot for a while after inflation.
A seat belt helps keep you in the proper
position for maximum protection when an
air bag inflates. Adjust your seat as far
back as possible while still maintaining
control of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your
seat; sit up straight; do not lean over the
steering wheel or dashboard. Front occu-
pants should not lean on or sleep against
the door. Refer to “Seat adjustment” sec-
tion and “Seat belts and child restraint sys-
tems” section in this section for details on
proper seat and seat belt adjustments.