book.book Page 18 Friday, July 19, 2013 12:53 PM Airbags Airbags Inflation Effects Airbag Warnings When airbags inflate, a fine powder is released. All occupants, including the driver, This powder can irritate the skin and should be should always wear their seat belts thoroughly flushed from the eyes and from any whether or not an airbag is also provided at cuts or abrasions. their seating position to minimize the risk of After inflation, the airbags deflate to provide a severe injury or death in the event of a crash. gradual cushioning effect for the occupants Front seat occupants should not place and to ensure the driver’s forward vision is not their arms over the airbag module, as an obscured. inflating bag can cause fractures or other If airbags have inflated, or if your vehicle has injuries. been in an accident, always have the airbags, WARNING: Do not use seat covers on seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated Model S. Doing so could restrict components checked and, if necessary, deployment of the side air bags if an replaced by Tesla. accident occurs. It can also reduce the In a collision, in addition to the airbags inflating: accuracy of the occupant detection system. • Doors unlock and the door handles extend. WARNING: Airbags inflate with • Hazard warning lights turn on. considerable speed and force, which can cause injury. To limit injuries, ensure that • Interior lights turn on. occupants are wearing seat belts and are • High voltage is disabled. correctly seated, with the seat positioned as far To restore Battery power, use the touchscreen back as possible. to manually power off Model S (see page 4.6), WARNING: Do not use a child safety seat then press the brake to power it back on again. or seat young children on a seat with an operational airbag in front of it. Doing so can Airbag Warning Indicator cause injury or death if the airbag inflates. The airbag indicator on the instrument WARNING: To ensure correct inflation of panel remains lit if the airbag system is the side airbags, maintain an malfunctioning. The only time this unobstructed gap between an occupant’s torso indicator should light up is briefly when and the side of Model S. ModelS first starts up, in which case it turns off WARNING: Passengers should not lean within a few seconds. If it remains lit, contact their heads against the doors. Doing so Tesla immediately and do not drive. can cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates. WARNING: Do not allow passengers to obstruct the operation of an airbag by placing feet, knees or any other part of the body on or near an airbag. WARNING: Do not attach or place objects on or near the front airbags, the side of the front seats, the headliner at the side of the vehicle, or any other airbag cover that could interfere with inflation of an airbag. Objects can cause serious injury if the vehicle is in a crash severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate. WARNING: Following inflation, some airbag components are hot. Do not touch until they have cooled. 3.18 MODEL S OWNERS MANUAL