Airbags How the Airbags Work Types of Airbags Airbags inflate when sensors detect an impact Model 3 has the following types of airbags: that exceeds deployment thresholds. These • Advanced front airbags: The front airbags thresholds are designed to predict the severity are designed to reduce airbag related of a crash in time for the airbags to help injuries if children or small adults are protect the vehicle's occupants. riding in the front seats. On the driver†s Airbags inflate instantly with considerable side, the front airbag works with a seat force accompanied by a loud noise. The position sensor that adjusts the inflation inflated bag, together with the seat belts, level based on the seating position of the limits movement of occupants to reduce the occupant. On the passenger†s side, the risk of injury. airbag responds to a sensing system in the Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to seat that determines whether or not the inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, minor front passenger side front airbag inflates, and or side collisions, heavy braking, or driving optimizes the inflation level based on the over bumps and potholes. Therefore, weight of the occupant (described below). significant superficial damage can occur to Follow all warnings related to seating a the vehicle without the airbags inflating or, child on the front passenger seat. conversely, a relatively small amount of • Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the front structural damage can cause airbags to inflate. airbags work together. The knee airbags limit the forward motion of the front seat If you are planning to modify your vehicle for a occupants by restricting leg movement, person with disabilities in a way that may thereby positioning the occupants so that affect the airbag system, contact Tesla. the front airbags work more effectively. • Seat-mounted side airbags: There is a seat-mounted side airbag in the front seats. Seat-mounted side airbags protect the thorax region of the torso and the pelvis. They inflate in the event of severe side impact or severe offset frontal impact. The seat-mounted side airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle will inflate. When the backrest of an outboard seat is fully folded in the forward position, its associated side airbag does not inflate. • Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the head and typically inflate only if a severe side impact occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle will inflate. Seating and Safety Restraints 31