Air bags are activated (able to inflate if necessary) only when the ENGINE START/STOP Button is in the ON Position and it can be activated within about 3 minutes after ignition off.

The appropriate air bags inflate in a split second in the event of a serious frontal collision or side collision in order to help protect the occupants from serious physical injury.

There is no single vehicle speed at which the air bags will inflate. Generally, air bags are designed to inflate based upon the severity of a collision and its direction, etc. Several factors determine whether the sensors produce an electronic deployment/inflation signal.

Air bags will not deploy in every crash or collision situations. Air bag deployment depends on a number of factors including vehicle speed, angles of impact, and, the mass and crash characteristics of the vehicles or objects which your vehicle hits in the collision. The determining factors are not limited to those mentioned above.

The front air bags will completely inflate and deflate extremely quickly. It is virtually impossible for you to see the air bags inflate during an accident. It is much more likely that you will simply see the deflated air bags hanging out of their storage compartments after the collision.

In addition to inflating in serious side collisions, side and/or curtain air bags will inflate if the sensing system detects a rollover.

When a rollover is detected, side and/or curtain airbags will remain inflated longer. This helps provide protection from ejection, especially when used in conjunction with the seat belts.

In order to help provide protection, the air bags must inflate rapidly. The airbag inflates extremely fast between the occupant and the vehicle structures before the occupant impacts the vehicle structures. This speed of inflation reduces the risk of serious or life-threatening injuries and is thus a necessary part of the air bag design. However, airbag inflation can also cause injuries which can include facial abrasions, bruises and broken bones. This is because the rapid inflation also causes the airbags to expand with a great deal of force.

There are even circumstances under which contact with the steering wheel or passenger air bag can cause fatal injuries, especially if the occupant is positioned too close to the steering wheel or passenger air bag.