Technician Safety Information

Safety Precautions When Working On Airbags

- Testing, removing, installing and servicing may ONLY be performed by qualified personnel.
- When connecting airbag system to battery positive voltage (B+), re must be no person inside vehicle.
- Battery Ground (GND) strap must be disconnected before performing any work on airbag system. No waiting time is required after disconnecting battery. When connecting airbag system to a voltage source, no one should be in vehicle interior.
- Before handling (touching) airbag unit, technician must be electrostatically discharged. This is accomplished by touching grounded metal like, for example, water pipes, heating pipes or metal carriers.
- Always install airbag units in vehicle, as soon as they are removed from packaging.
- If installation work is interrupted, immediately return airbag unit to its original packaging.
- NEVER leave an airbag unit unattended.
- In removed condition, ALWAYS lay airbag down with impact absorbing pad facing up.
- DO NOT install airbag units that have fallen onto a hard surface, or which have signs of damage.
- Airbag units that have not deployed must be marked and returned to manufacturer for disposal (Use special airbag transporting container).
- Belt tensioner storage and transportation are covered under Explosive Substance Act.
- Only use original equipment seat covers that are approved for use with side airbags (identified by AIRBAG label).
- use of commercially available extra seat covers is not permitted (extra seat covers must be approved for use with airbags).
- Always replace any airbag system component that has been mechanically damaged (example: dented or cracked).
- When installing backrest cover, cover seam must run straight in area of side-airbag.
- All cover clips must be replaced.
- Only use original equipment cover clips.
- If cover is damaged (rips or burn holes, etc.) in area of side-airbag, always replace cover for safety reasons.

Additional safety precautions for side curtain protection
- Always replace damaged pillar trim, never repair.
- Side curtain protection must not be kinked or twisted.
- After servicing body in area of side curtain protection, check body for welding beads, deformations and chafe marks (compare with opposite side of vehicle if necessary).
- If ignited side curtain protection is replaced, molded headliner, door seals with piping, head-level airbag guides, bracket for grab handle and A-, B-, C- and, if installed, D-pillar trim must be replaced in general. If damaged, interior (rear) reading lights, roof grab handle and roof end strip must also be replaced.