The knee bags are designed to provide
increased protection for the driver and
passenger against the risk of injuries to
the knees, thighs and lower legs. The knee
bags are located on the lower instrument
panel. They are designed to operate
together with the front air bags in certain
frontal impacts if the system determines
that air bag deployment can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the
seat belts. Knee bags operate best in con-
junction with a properly positioned and
fastened seat belts.
Head-thorax air bags (cabriolet only)
G
WARNING
There is a possibility for a head-thorax air
bag related injury if occupants, especially
children, are not properly seated or
restrained when next to a head-thorax air
bag which needs to deploy rapidly in a side
impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury,
please follow these guidelines:
(1) Occupants, especially children,
should never place their bodies
or lean their heads in the area of
the door where the head-thorax
air bag inflates. This could
result in serious injuries or
death should the head-thorax air
bag be deployed.
(2) Always sit as upright as possi-
ble, properly use the seat belts,
and for all children 12 years old
or under, use an appropriately
sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat rec-
ommended for the size and
weight of the child.
(3) Always wear seat belts properly.
G
WARNING
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved by smart for your vehicle
model. A seat cover must have a deployment
control seam for the head-thorax air bag.
Using other seat covers may interfere with
or prevent the deployment of the head-
thorax air bags. Contact an authorized
smart center for availability.
If activated, the head-thorax air bags are
intended to provide increased protection
for the head and thorax (but not arms) of the
occupants on the side of the vehicle that is
struck.
The head-thorax air bags are deployed
R
on the side of the vehicle that is struck
(when passenger side is struck only if the
seat is occupied)
R
at the start of an accident with high
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
acting in a lateral direction, e.g. a side
impact
R
regardless of whether or not the seat belt
is in use
R
independently of the front air bags
being deployed
R
independently of the emergency tension-
ing device
The head-thorax air bags are integrated
into the driver and passenger seat backr-
ests.
:
Head-thorax air bag
Occupant safety
37
>> Safety.
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