| Move seat to the rear as far as possible, while still | | | | out, NHTSA will then send you an authorization |
| being able to reach the pedals comfortably, | | | | letter that you can take to your dealer or repair |
| especially shorter people. | | | | shop.You should check with your auto dealer or |
| Slightly recline the back of the seat. | | | | repair shop to see whether an on-off switch is |
| If the steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it | | | | available for your vehicle. |
| downward. This points the air bag toward your | | | | When you get in your vehicle and turn the key, |
| chest instead of your head and neck. | | | | look at the dash to find your Airbag or SRS light. |
| Pedal extenders can be used to help get further | | | | It should come on for 7-10 seconds and then go |
| away from the air bag. | | | | out. This tells you all is well with the Airbag |
| Both lap and shoulder safety belts should always | | | | System. |
| be used in vehicles equipped with air bags. | | | | If the light does not come on, HAVE IT |
| All children under the age of 12 should ride in the | | | | CHECKED. After all, it could just be a burnt out |
| back seat. | | | | light bulb. |
| Air bags can seriously injure or kill children who | | | | If the light does not go off after this |
| are sitting in the front seat. Children can easily | | | | period(usually 7-10 seconds) there is a problem |
| slide off the seat during pre-crash braking, | | | | If the light comes on while you are driving, it also |
| throwing them against the dashboard where the | | | | needs attention. |
| airbag can strike them on the head or neck with | | | | You need to take it to a repair shop that has the |
| tremendous force before it is fully inflated | | | | equipment to diagnose and repair the problem. |
| A rear-facing infant seat should Never be placed | | | | Supplemental Restraint Systems cannot be |
| in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with an | | | | repaired at home. This is not a challenge. Hand |
| active passenger air bag. | | | | held Diagnostic equipment that may read the |
| If a child over one year old must ride in the front | | | | error codes and may be able to clear them to |
| seat with a passenger side air bag, put the child in | | | | reset your system are around $3000-$6000. This |
| a front facing child safety seat, a booster seat, or | | | | does not include the cost of the software |
| a correct fitting lap/shoulder belt-- AND move the | | | | involved. |
| seat as far back as possible. | | | | In addition to the front Airbags, the car |
| Some vehicles are equipped with a special switch | | | | companies are putting Airbags in the doors for |
| on the dashboard that lets the driver control the | | | | side impacts that are not covered by the primary |
| passenger air bag. Federal requirements allow the | | | | Airbags. They are putting them in the seats for |
| switch only for vehicles with no rear seats or | | | | the drivers and rear passengers as well. This |
| those with rear seats too small to safely | | | | increases the cost as well as the complexity of |
| accommodate a rear-facing infant seat. | | | | the systems. |
| The federal government now has procedures | | | | Since 1990 the National Highway Traffic Safety |
| allowing the very few people who may be at risk | | | | Administration, which is responsible for vehicle |
| of serious airbag injury to get switches. Minor | | | | safety rules and statistics relating to vehicles, |
| adjustment to seating position will usually resolve | | | | found that of 19 drivers killed by airbags, only five |
| safety problems | | | | of them were wearing seat belts and two of |
| On/Off Switches are allowed for medical reasons, | | | | them were determined to be unconscious before |
| pregnant women, continuous transportation of | | | | the airbag deployed. |
| many children at once, and other rare occasions. | | | | All new passenger cars are required to have |
| To get an air bag deactivated, you must obtain | | | | driver and passenger air bags by Sept. 1, 1997 |
| an information brochure and submit a request | | | | and all sport utility, minivans and light trucks will be |
| form. If the form is properly and completely filled | | | | required to have them a year later. |