How Airbags Work
Airbags inflate when sensors detect an impact that
exceeds deployment thresholds. These thresholds are
designed to predict the severity of a crash in time for
the airbags to help protect the vehicle's occupants.
Airbags inflate instantly with considerable force
accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated bag, together
with the seat belts, limits movement of occupants to
reduce the risk of injury.
Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in
rear collisions, rollovers, side collisions and when braking
heavily or driving over bumps and potholes. Likewise,
front airbags may not inflate in all frontal collisions, such
as minor front collisions, underride collisions, or minor
impacts with narrow objects (such as posts or poles).
Significant superficial damage can occur to the vehicle
without the airbags inflating and, conversely, a relatively
small amount of structural damage can cause airbags to
inflate. Therefore, the external appearance of the vehicle
after a collision does not represent whether or not the
front airbags should have inflated.
WARNING:
Before modifying your vehicle to
accommodate a person with disabilities in a way
that may affect the airbag system, contact Tesla.
Types of Airbags
Model X has the following types of airbags:
• Front airbags: The front airbags are designed to
reduce injuries if larger children or adults are riding in
the front seats. Follow all warnings and instructions
related to seating a child on the front passenger seat
(if permitted in your market region).
• Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the front airbags
work together. The knee airbags limit the forward
motion of the front seat occupants by restricting leg
movement, thereby positioning the occupants so that
the front airbags work more effectively. Whether or
not knee airbags deploy in a collision is partially
dependent on the track position of the associated
seat.
• Seat-mounted side airbags: A seat-mounted side
airbag in the front driver, front passenger and second
row outboard seats help protect the pelvis and the
thorax region of the torso. The seat-mounted side
airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side
of the vehicle will inflate in the event of severe side
impact or severe offset frontal impact.
• Curtain airbags: A curtain airbag on each side of
Model X in the front roof-rail help protect the head.
Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-
impacted side of the vehicle will inflate if a severe
side impact occurs, a severe offset frontal impact
occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over.
• Door-mounted airbags: There is an airbag on each
side of Model X mounted in the trim on the falcon
wing doors. These are the same as the curtain airbags
in that they help protect the head and typically inflate
in the event of a severe side impact, a severe offset
frontal impact, or if the vehicle rolls over. The door-
mounted airbags on both the impacted and non-
impacted side of the vehicle will inflate.
Passenger Front Airbag Status
The status of the passenger front airbag displays on the
touchscreen:
The Passenger Airbag Off indicator
displays only when the passenger front
airbag is OFF. When the passenger front
airbag is OFF, it does not inflate when a
collision occurs. This indicator does not
display when the airbag is ON or when
the seat is unoccupied.
To protect an adult occupying the front
passenger seat, ensure the passenger
front airbag is ON. When the passenger
airbag is ON, it may inflate when a
collision occurs.
WARNING:
A child up to the age of 12 can
experience serious injury when an airbag is
deployed.
WARNING:
The safest place for a child is in a rear
seating position.
WARNING:
Never seat a child on the front
passenger seat.
WARNING:
Always use a seat belt and a child
restraint system.
WARNING:
Sit as far back as possible from the
airbag.
Airbags
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Seating and Safety Restraints
