Safety features of your vehicle
523
Noise and smoke
When the air bags inflate, they make
a loud noise and they leave smoke
and powder in the air inside of the
vehicle. This is normal and is a result
of the ignition of the air bag inflator.
After the air bag inflates, you may
feel substantial discomfort in breath-
ing due to the contact of your chest
with both the seat belt and the air
bag, as well as from breathing the
smoke and powder. Open your
doors and/or windows as soon as
possible after impact in order to
reduce discomfort and prevent
prolonged exposure to the smoke
and powder.
Though smoke and powder are non-
toxic, it may cause irritation to the
skin (eyes, nose and throat, etc.). If
this is the case, wash and rinse with
cold water immediately and consult
the doctor if the symptom persists.
WARNING
• To avoid severe personal
injury or death caused by
deploying air bags in a colli-
sion, the driver should sit as
far back from the steering
wheel air bag as possible (at
least 250 mm (10 inches)
away). The front passenger
should always move their seat
as far back as possible and sit
back in their seat.
• Air bag inflates instantly in an
event of a collision, passen-
gers may be injured by the air
bag expansion force if they
are not in a proper position.
• Air bag inflation may cause
injuries including facial or
bodily abrasions, injuries
from broken glasses or burns.
WARNING
When the air bags deploy, the
air bag related parts in the
steering wheel, instrument
panel and/or in both sides of the
roof rails above the front and
rear doors are very hot. To pre-
vent injury, do not touch the air
bag storage areas internal com-
ponents immediately after an
air bag has inflated.
