2009 Suzuki SX4 Owner's Manual - Page 61

BEFORE DRIVING How the System Works WARNING • Do not spill any liquids on the seat. Liquids can damage the sensors under the front seat. • Have the driver's seat position sensor and the front passenger's sensor mat inspected by your dealer after a collision. • Do not replace the front seats. If you replace them, the air bags and front passenger sensing system may not work properly. • Do not use a seat cover. If you use a seat cover, the front passenger sensing system may not work properly. In a frontal collision, the crash sensors will detect rapid deceleration and send a signal to the controller. If the controller judges that the deceleration represents a severe frontal crash, the controller will trigger the inflators. The controller also judges: • Whether the front air bags should deploy at reduced power or at full power according to crash severity. • Whether the air bags should deploy at reduced power or at full power according to crash severity, driver's seat fore/aft position and whether or not the front passenger's seat belt is fastened. • Whether the front passenger's front air bag should deploy or not based on classification of the occupant of the front passenger's seat. Since your vehicle is equipped with side air bags, and side curtain air bags, crash sensors will detect a side collision, and if the controller judges that the side collision is severe enough, it will trigger the side air bag and side curtain air bag inflators. The inflators inflate the appropriate air bags with nitrogen or argon gas. The inflated air bags provide a cushion for your head (front air bags and side curtain air bags only) and upper body. The air bag inflates and deflates so quickly that you may not even realize that it has activated. The air bag will neither hinder your view nor make it harder to exit the vehicle. Air bags must inflate quickly and forcefully in order to reduce the chance of serious or fatal injuries. However, an unavoidable consequence of the quick inflation is that the air bag may irritate bare skin, such as the facial area against a front air bag. Also, upon inflation, a loud noise will occur and some powder and smoke will be released. These conditions are not harmful and do not indicate a fire in the car. Be aware, however, that some air bag components may be hot for a while after inflation. A seat belt helps keep you in the proper position for maximum protection when an air bag inflates. Adjust your seat as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your seat; sit up straight; do not lean over the steering wheel or dashboard. Front occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door. Please refer to the "Seat Adjustment" section and the "Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems" section in the "BEFORE DRIVING" section for details on proper seat and seat belt adjustments. 2-48 80J22-03E