Operation Manual

the side where the vehicle is impacted. They may
not inflate in certain side collisions.
Curtain air bags are also designed to inflate in
certain types of rollover collisions or near roll-
overs. As a result, certain vehicle movements (for
example, during severe off-roading) may cause
the curtain air bags to inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper side air bag and curtain air
bag operation.
When the side air bags and curtain air bags
inflate, a fairly loud noise may be heard, followed
by release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken
not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing con-
dition should get fresh air promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the chest of
the front occupants. Curtain air bags help to
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in the front and rear outboard seating po-
sitions in all rows. They can help save lives and
reduce serious injuries. However, an inflating
side air bag or curtain air bag may cause abra-
sions or other injuries. Side air bags and curtain
air bags do not provide restraint to the lower
body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and front passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the side air bag. Rear seat
passengers should be seated as far away as
practical from the door finishers and side roof
rails. The side air bags and curtain air bags inflate
quickly in order to help protect the occupants.
Because of this, the force of the side air bags and
curtain air bags inflating can increase the risk of
injury if the occupant is too close to, or is against,
these air bag modules during inflation. The side
air bag will deflate quickly after the collision is
over.
The curtain air bag will remain inflated for a short
time.
The side air bags and curtain air bags op-
erate only when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position.
After placing the ignition switch in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7 sec-
onds if the system is operational.
WARNING
● Do not place any objects near the seat-
back of the front seats. Also, do not
place any objects (an umbrella, bag,
etc.) between the front door finisher
and the front seat. Such objects may
become dangerous projectiles and
cause injury if a side air bag inflates.
● Right after inflation, several side air bag
and curtain air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you may
severely burn yourself.
● No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the side air bag and curtain air bag
systems. This is to prevent damage to or
accidental inflation of the side air bag
and curtain air bag systems.
● Do not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or side panel. This
could affect proper operation of the cur-
tain air bag systems.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-55