Airbag Supplementary Restraint
System
Overview
The airbag SRS provides ADDITIONAL protection in a severe frontal impact only. It does not replace the need, or requirement to wear a seat belt.
The airbags together with the seat belts provide optimum protection for adults, but it is not the case for infants.
The seat belt and airbag systems in the vehicle are not designed for protecting infants.
The protection required by infants should be provided by child restraints.
The Airbag Supplementary Restraint System generally consists of:
• Front Airbags (fitted to the centre of the steering wheel and dashboard above the glove compartment)
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• Seat Side Airbags (fitted to the outer side of the seat squab)
• Side Head Impact Protection Airbags (fitted behind the headlining)
In the corresponding place where airbags are fitted, there is a warning sign stating ‘AIRBAG’.
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Airbag Warning Light
The airbag warning light is located in the instrument pack.
If this lamp does not extinguish or illuminates during driving, it indicates that there is a failure in the SRS or seat belt. Please seek an MG Authorised
Repairer at the earliest opportunity. An SRS or seat belt fault may mean the components may not be deployed in the event of an accident.
Airbag Deployment
Front seat passengers should not place feet, knees or any other part of the body in contact with, or in close proximity to a front airbag.
To minimise the risk of accidental injury from inflating airbags, seat belts should be worn correctly at all times. In addition, both driver and front seat passenger should adjust their seat to provide sufficient distance from the front airbags. If side airbags/side head impact protection airbags are fitted, both driver and front seat passenger should be seated to maintain sufficient distance from the upper part of the body to the sides of the vehicle, this will ensure maximum protection when the side airbags/side head impact protection airbags are deployed.
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When airbags are deployed, children without proper protection may suffer from serious injury or even death. DO NOT carry children in the arms or on the knees during traveling.
Children should wear seat belts suitable to age. DO NOT lean out of windows.
An inflating airbag can cause facial abrasions and other injuries if the occupant is too close to the airbag at the time of its deployment.
DO NOT affix or place any objects on, or adjacent to the airbags. This may affect the airbag passage or create projectiles that may cause injury or serious harm in the event of airbag deployment.
After deployment the airbag components become very hot. DO NOT touch any airbag related components, it may cause burns or serious injury.
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DO NOT knock or strike the position where airbags or related parts are located, so as to avoid accidental airbag deployment which may cause serious injury or even death.
In the event of a collision, the airbag control unit monitors the rate of deceleration or acceleration induced by the collision, to determine whether the airbags should be deployed.
Airbag deployment is virtually instantaneous and occurs with considerable force, accompanied by a loud noise.
Provided the front seat occupants are correctly seated and with seat belts properly worn, the airbags will provide additional protection to the chest and facial areas in the event of the car receiving a severe frontal impact.
Side airbags and side head impact protection airbags are designed to offer additional protection to the side of the body facing the impact, if a severe side collision occurs.
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IMPORTANT
• Airbags can not protect lower body parts of passengers.
• Airbags are not designed for rear collision, minor frontal or side impacts, or if the vehicle overturns; nor will it operate as a result of heavy braking.
• Deployment and retraction of the frontal and side airbags takes place very quickly and will not protect against the effects of secondary impacts that may occur.
• When an airbag inflates, a fine powder is released.
This is not an indication of a malfunction, however, the powder may cause irritation to the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from the eyes and any cuts or abrasions of the skin.
• After inflation, front and side airbags deflate immediately.
This provides a gradual cushioning effect for the occupant and also ensures that the driver's forward vision is not obscured.
Front Airbags
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur. Refer to ‘Disabling the
Passenger Airbag'.
Front seat passengers should not place feet, knees or any other part of the body in contact with, or in close proximity to a front airbag.
In extreme cases driving on very uneven surfaces may cause airbag deployment.
Please take extra care when driving on uneven roads.
Airbags are designed to deploy during serious impacts, the following conditions may cause airbag deployment.
• A frontal collision with unmovable or non deformable solid objects at a high speed.
• Conditions that can cause serious chassis damage, such as a collision with kerbstones, road edges, deep ravines or holes.
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Seat Side Airbags
The manufacture and material of the seat is critical to the correct operation of side airbags.
Therefore, please DO NOT fit seat covers which may affect side airbag deployment.
In the event of a serious side impact, the relevant side airbag will deploy (only the affected side).
• The airbag will be deployed in the event that the side of the vehicle is impacted with a solid object or another vehicle.
Side Head Impact Protection Airbags
In the event of a serious side impact, the relevant side curtain airbag will deploy (only the affected side).
• The side curtain airbag will be deployed in the event that the side of the vehicle is impacted with a solid object or another vehicle.
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Conditions in Which Airbags Will Not
Deploy
The deployment of airbags does not depend on the vehicle speed, but on the object that the vehicle hits, angle of impact and the rate at which the car changes speed as a result of a collision. When the impact force of collision is absorbed or dispersed to vehicle body, airbags may not deploy; however, airbags may sometimes deploy according to impact condition. Therefore, the deployment of airbags shall not be judged based on the severity of vehicle damage.
Front Airbags
Under certain conditions the front airbags may not be deployed. Some examples are listed below:
• The impact point is not central to the front of the vehicle.
• The impact is not of sufficient force (the impact is with an object that is not solid, such as a lamp post or central barriers).
• The impact area is high (collision with the tailgate of a truck).
• Impacts to the rear or side of the vehicle.
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• The vehicle rolling over.
• Frontal collision at an angle with guard bars.
Seat Side Airbags and Side Head Impact
Protection Airbags
Under certain conditions the seat side and side head airbags may not be deployed. Some examples are listed below:
• Side impacts at certain angles.
• Light side impacts such as a motorcycle.
• Impacts that are not central to the side of the vehicle, either too far toward the engine compartment or the loadspace.
• The vehicle rolling over.
• Frontal collision at an angle with guard bars.
• The angled impact is not of sufficient force (the impact is with an object that is not solid, such as a lamp post or central barriers).
• The impact is not of sufficient force (with another vehicle, stationary or moving).
• The impact is from the rear of the vehicle.
Disabling the Passenger Airbag
The passenger airbag switch is located at the left instrument panel end cover plate . Insert the key and turn the switch to on or off position to enable or disable the passenger airbag.
Note: The Passenger Airbag should only be disabled when a rear facing child seat is fitted to the front passenger seat.
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Note: When an adult is seated in the front passenger seat, ensure that the airbag is switched on.
PAS S ENGER
OFF
AIRBAG
ON
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assembly ) illuminates, this indicates that the passenger airbag is disabled.
When the switch is turned to the ON position, the ON indicator light ( located in the PAB display panel in the lamp assembly ) illuminates, this indicates that the passenger airbag is enabled.
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PAS S ENGER
OFF
AIRBAG
ON
HH
PAS S ENGER
OFF
AIRBAG
ON
HHHH
The passenger airbag status light is located in the roof mounted interior lamp assembly. The shape of the lamp assembly varies according to the configuration of the vehicle.
When the switch is turned to the OFF position, the OFF indicator light ( located in the PAB display panel in the lamp
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Service and Replacement of Airbags
Service Information
DO NOT install or modify the airbag. Any changes to the vehicle structure or airbag system wiring harness are strictly prohibited.
Changes to vehicle structure is prohibited.
This may affect the normal operation of the
SRS.
DO NOT allow these areas to be flooded with liquid and DO NOT use petrol, detergent, furniture cream or polishes.
If water contaminates or enters the SRS it may cause damage and affect deployment.
In this case contact an MG Authorised
Repairer immediately.
To prevent damage to the airbag SRS, the following areas should be cleaned sparingly with a damp cloth and upholstery cleaner ONLY:
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• Steering wheel centre pad.
• Area of dashboard containing the passenger airbag.
• Area of roof lining and front pillar finishers which enclose the side head impact protection modules.
If the airbag warning lamp fails to illuminate, stays on, or if there is damage to the front or side of the vehicle, or the airbag covers show signs of damage, contact an MG
Authorised Repairer immediately.
IMPORTANT
• The removal or replacement of an airbag module should be carried out by an MG Authorised Repairer.
• After 10 years from the initial date of registration
(or installation date of a replacement airbag), some components will need to be replaced by an MG
Authorised Repairer. The appropriate page of the
Service Portfolio must be signed and stamped once the work has been completed.
Replacing Aribag System Parts
Even if the airbag does not deploy, collisions may cause damage to SRS in the vehicle.
Airbags may not function properly after damage, and can not protect you and other passengers when a second collision occurs, which may cause serious injury or even death.
To ensure that SRS can function properly after collision, please go to an MG
Authorised Repairer to check airbags and repair as necessary.
Airbags are designed for using once only. Once the airbag is deployed, you must replace SRS parts. Please go to an
MG Authorised Repairer for replacement.
Disposal of Airbags
When your vehicle is sold, ensure that the new owner knows the vehicle is equipped with airbags, and is aware of the replacement date of SRS.
If the vehicle is scrapped, the undeployed airbags may have potential risks, therefore, before the disposal, they must be
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deployed safely in a certain environment by a professional from an MG Authorised Repairer.
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