2008 BMW M3 Owner's Manual - Page 75

the event of side impact. The relevant side airbag supports the side upper body area. The head air bag supports the head. The airbags have been designed to not be triggered in every collision situation, e.g. not in minor accidents or rear-end collisions. Do not apply adhesive materials to the cover panels of the airbags, cover them or modify them in any other way. Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other objects not specifically approved for seats with integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do not modify the individual components of the system or its wiring in any way. This includes the upholstered covers on the steering wheel, instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the steering wheel. Do not touch the individual components immediately after the system has been triggered, because there is a danger of burns. In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or triggering of the airbag restraint system, have the testing, repair, removal and disposal of airbag generators executed only by a BMW center or a workshop that works according to repair procedures of BMW with correspondingly trained personnel and that has the required explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to work on the system could lead to failure in an emergency or to undesired airbag activation, either of which could result in personal injury.< Warning notices and information about the airbags can also be found on the sun visors. of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or activated, refer to Status of front passenger airbags below.< Before transporting a child on the front passenger seat, read the safety precautions and handling instructions under Transporting children safely, refer to page 44. The front and side airbags can also be deactivated by adolescents and adults sitting in certain positions; the indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the passenger should change his or her sitting position so that the front passenger airbags are activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the desired airbag status cannot be achieved by changing the sitting position, transport the relevant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other items to the front passenger seat unless they are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not place any items under the seat which could press against the seat from below. Otherwise a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not ensured.< At a glance Reference Mobility Driving tips Controls Status of front passenger airbags Automatic deactivation of the front passenger airbags An analysis of the impression in the front passenger seat cushion determines whether and how the seat is occupied. The front and side airbags for the front passenger are activated or deactivated by the system accordingly. The indicator lamp above the interior rearview mirror shows the current status The indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags shows the functional status of the front passenger's front and side airbags in accordance with whether and how the front passenger seat is occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether the front passenger airbags are activated or deactivated. > The indicator lamp lights up when a child in a specially designated child-restraint system is detected, as intended, on the seat. The front and side airbags for the front passenger are not activated. 73 Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 0 014 960 - © 02/08 BMW AG