2003 Mazda Protege Owner's Manual - Page 49

J39L_EA.book Page 38 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags WARNING Seating Position with Side Air Bags: Sitting too close to the side air bag storage compartments or placing hands on them is extremely dangerous. A side air bag inflates with great force and speed directly out of the outboard shoulder of the front seat and expands along the front door on the side the car is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning against a window in the front seats or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front seatbacks. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the driver's-side window while driving could block the side air bag and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side airbags room to work by sitting in the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly. Front Air Bag Storage Areas: Attaching an object to a front air bag storage area or placing something in front of it is dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with front air bag inflation and injure the occupants. Always keep the front air bag storage areas free of objects. Side Air Bag Storage Areas: Attaching things to the front seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of the seat in any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the side air bag, which inflates from the outboard side of the front seats, impeding the added protection of the side air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open spewing exhaust. Do not hang net bags, map pouches or back pads with side straps on the front seats. Never use seat covers on the front seats. Always keep the side air bag storage areas in your front seats free to deploy in the event of a side collision. Hot Air Bag Inflators: Hot air bag inflators are dangerous. Immediately after inflation, the inflators in the steering wheel, dashboard or the seatbacks are very hot. You could get burned. Don't touch the internal components of the air bag storage areas after the bags have inflated. 2-38 Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G