KIA Sportage 2005 - Manual (Page 89)

Knowing your vehicle
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• In order to help provide protection
in a severe collision, the airbags
must inflate rapidly. The speed of
airbag inflation has been deter-
mined by the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS)
to reduce the likelihood of serious
or life-threatening injuries and is
thus a mandatory part of the airbag
design.
However, airbag inflation can also
cause injuries which normally can
include facial abrasions, bruises
and broken bones, because that
speed also causes the airbags to
expand with a great deal force.
• There are even circumstances
under which contact with the
steering wheel airbag can cause
fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned exces-
sively close to the steering
wheel.
Noise and smoke
When the airbags 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 airbag inflator.
After the airbag inflates, you may feel
substantial discomfort in breathing
due to the contact of your chest to
both the safety belt and the airbag,
as well as from breathing the smoke
and powder. We strongly urge you
to open your doors and/or win-
dows as soon as possible after
impact in order to reduce discom-
fort and prevent prolonged expo-
sure 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
• Driver should sit as far back
(at least 10 inches (250 mm)
away) from the steering wheel
airbag as possible to reduce
the risk of injury or death in a
collision. The front passenger
should always move their seat
as far back as possible and sit
back in their seat.
• Airbags inflate instantly in an
event of collision and passen-
gers may be injured by the
airbag expansion force if they
are not in proper position.
• Airbag inflation may cause
injuries which normally
include facial or bodily abra-
sions, injuries by the broken
eyeglasses or burns by the
explosives.
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