2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 40

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 29 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags WARNING Seating Position with Side and Curtain Air Bags: Sitting too close to the side and curtain air bag storage compartments or placing hands on them is extremely dangerous. The side and curtain air bags inflate with great force and speed directly out of the outboard side of the front seat, and the front and rear window pillars along the roof edge, expanding along the front and rear doors 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, or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front seatbacks. Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the windows in the vehicle could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Give the side and curtain air bags 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. Curtain Air Bag Storage Areas: Attaching objects to the areas where the curtain air bag activates such as on the windshield glass, side door glass, front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge and assist grips is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the curtain air bag, which inflates from the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge, impeding the added protection of the curtain 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 place hangers or any other objects on the assist grips. When hanging clothes, hang them on the coat hook directly. Always keep the curtain air bag storage areas free to deploy in the event of a side collision. 2-29 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C