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What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time
after they deploy. Some components
of the airbag module may be hot
for several minutes. For location of
the airbag modules, see What
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on
page 1-47.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There
may be some smoke and dust
coming from the vents in the
deflated airbags. Airbag inflation
does not prevent the driver
from seeing out of the windshield or
being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle.
{ CAUTION
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot get
out of the vehicle after an airbag
inflates, then get fresh air by
opening a window or a door. If
you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors,
turn the interior lamps on, and turn
the hazard warning flashers on
when the airbags inflate. You can
lock the doors, turn the interior
lamps off, and turn the hazard
warning flashers off by using the
controls for those features. You
must first, however, turn the ignition
key to the following ignition switch
positions:
1. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
2. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.
In many crashes severe enough
to inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.
• Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system. If
you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to
help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for your vehicle covers the
need to replace other parts.
1-48 Seats and Restraint System