2004 Dodge Dakota Owner's Manual - Page 32

32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE WARNING! Do not put anything on or around the front 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. Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along with the seatbelts, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. But even in collisions where the airbags work, 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 follow to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. • Children 12 years and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat, if available. • Infants in rear facing child restraints must NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag deployment could cause severe injury or death to infants in that position. See the passenger airbag on/off switch section. • If your vehicle does not have a rear seat, see the Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch section. • Children that are not big enough to properly wear the vehicle seat belt (see section on Child Restraints) should be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats. Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under their arm. • All occupants should use their seat belts properly.