2004 Dodge Caravan Owner's Manual - Page 50

50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE WARNING! • Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers or attempt to manually open them. You may damage the airbags and you could be injured because the airbags are not there to protect you. These protective covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open only when the airbags are inflating. • If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, do not use accessory seat covers or place objects between you and the side airbags; the performance could be adversely affected and/or objects could be pushed into you, causing serious injury. • If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, do not attach cup holders or any other objects on or around the door. The inflating side airbag could drive the object into occupants, causing serious injury. Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along with seat belts and pretensioners, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant protection. The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is equipped, the side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain types of collisions, both the front and side airbags may be triggered. But even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags to protect you properly. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.