76 SEATS AND RESTRAINTSAll vehicle airbags have the wordAIRBAG on the trim or on a label nearthe deployment opening.For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAGis on the center of the steering wheelfor the driver and on the instrumentpanel for the front outboardpassenger.For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG ison the lower part of the instrumentpanel.For seat-mounted side impact airbags,the word AIRBAG is on the side of theseatback closest to the door.For roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAGis on the ceiling or trim.Airbags are designed to supplementthe protection provided by seat belts.Even though today's airbags are alsodesigned to help reduce the risk ofinjury from the force of an inflatingbag, all airbags must inflate veryquickly to do their job.Here are the most important things toknow about the airbag system:{ WarningYou can be severely injured orkilled in a crash if you are notwearing your seat belt, even withairbags. Airbags are designed towork with seat belts, not replacethem. Also, airbags are not designedto inflate in every crash. In somecrashes seat belts are the onlyrestraint. See When Should anAirbag Inflate? 0 78.Wearing your seat belt during acrash helps reduce your chance ofhitting things inside the vehicle orbeing ejected from it. Airbags are“supplemental restraints” to theseat belts. Everyone in the vehicleshould wear a seat belt properly,whether or not there is an airbagfor that person.{ WarningBecause airbags inflate with greatforce and faster than the blink of aneye, anyone who is up against,or very close to, any airbag when itinflates can be seriously injured orkilled. Do not sit unnecessarilyclose to any airbag, as you would beif sitting on the edge of the seat orleaning forward. Seat belts helpkeep you in position before andduring a crash. Always wear a seatbelt, even with airbags. The drivershould sit as far back as possiblewhile still maintaining control ofthe vehicle. The seat belts and thefront outboard passenger airbagsare most effective when you aresitting well back and upright in theseat with both feet on the floor.Occupants should not lean on orsleep against the door or sidewindows in seating positions withseat-mounted side impact airbagsand/or roof-rail airbags.
