Owner's Manual

SSS1092
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IM-
PACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG AND
ROOF-MOUNTED CURTAIN SIDE-IM-
PACT AND ROLLOVER SUPPLEMEN-
TAL AIR BAG SYSTEMS
The side air bags are located in the outside
of the seatback of the front seats. The
curtain and rollover air bags are located in
the side roof rails. These systems are
designed to meet voluntary guidelines to
help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-
position occupants. However, all of the
information, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The side air bags and curtain and rollover
air bags are designed to inflate in higher
severity side collisions, although they may
inflate if the forces in another type of
collision are similar to those of a higher
severity side impact. They are designed to
inflate on the side where the vehicle is
impacted. They may not inflate in certain
side collisions on the side where the
vehicle is impacted.
Curtain and rollover air bags are also
designed to inflate in certain types of
rollover collisions or near rollovers. As a
result, certain vehicle movements (for
example, during severe off roading) may
cause the curtain and rollover air bags to
inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper side air bag and
curtain and rollover air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain and
rollover 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 condition should get fresh
air promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat
belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the chest and pelvis of the front occupants.
Curtain and rollover air bags help to
cushion the impact force to the head of
occupants in the front and rear (2nd and
3rd) outboard seating positions. They can
help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating side air bags and
curtain and rollover air bags may cause
abrasions or other injuries. Side air bags
and curtain and rollover air bags do not
provide restraint to the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn
and the driver and 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 and rollover air bags
inflate quickly in order to help protect the
occupants. Because of this, the force of the
side air bags and curtain and rollover 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. In a rollover, the curtain and
rollover air bags on both sides are
designed to inflate. Under both side-
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-67