Acura TLX (2021 year). Manual in english — page 3

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Airbags

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Airbag System Components

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Driving

The front, driver’s knee, front passenger’s
knee, front side, and side curtain airbags are
deployed according to the direction and
severity of impact. Both side curtain airbags
are deployed in a rollover. The airbag
system includes:

a

Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
front airbags. The driver’s airbag is stored
in the center of the steering wheel; the
front passenger’s airbag is stored in the
dashboard. Both are marked

SRS

AIRBAG

.

b

Two knee airbags. The driver’s knee
airbag is stored under the steering
column; the front passenger’s knee
airbag is stored under the glove box.
Both are marked

SRS AIRBAG

.

c

Two side airbags, one for the driver and
one for a front passenger. The airbags are
stored in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked

SIDE AIRBAG

.

d

Two side curtain airbags, one for each
side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored
in the ceiling, above the side windows.
The front and rear pillars are marked

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG

.

e

An electronic control unit that, when the
power mode is in ON, continually
monitors information about the various
impact sensors, seat and buckle sensors,
rollover sensor, airbag activators, seat
belt tensioners, and other vehicle
information. During a crash event the
unit can record such information.

f

Seat belt tensioners for the front seats
and outer rear seats. In addition, the
driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt
buckles incorporate sensors that detect
whether or not the belts are fastened.

g

Driver’s seat position sensor. This sensor
detects the driver’s seat slide position to
help determine the optimal deployment
of the driver’s airbag.

h

Weight sensors in the front passenger’s
seat. The sensors are used for occupant
classification to activate or deactivate the
front passenger’s airbag.

i

Impact sensors that can detect a
moderate-to-severe front or side impact.

j

An indicator on the dashboard that alerts
you that the front passenger’s front
airbag has been turned off.

k

An indicator on the instrument panel that
alerts you to a possible problem with your
airbag system or seat belt tensioners.

l

A rollover sensor that can detect if your
vehicle is about to roll over and signal the
control unit to deploy both side curtain
airbags.

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Airbag System Components

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Airbags can pose serious hazards. To do their job, airbags must inflate with
tremendous force. So, while airbags help save lives, they can cause burns, bruises,
and other minor injuries, sometimes even fatal ones if occupants are not wearing
their seat belts properly and sitting correctly.

What you should do:

Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as

far back from the steering wheel as possible while allowing full control of the
vehicle. A front passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as
possible.

Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that
can occur in a severe crash, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags
deploy.

Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front airbag.

Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp
object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag inflates.

Do not attach or place objects on the front, driver’s knee and front
passenger’s knee airbag covers.

Objects on the covers marked

SRS AIRBAG

could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags or be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone if the airbags inflate.

■

Important Facts About Your Airbags

1

Important Facts About Your Airbags

Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags. Together,
airbags and seat belts provide the best protection.

When driving, keep hands and arms out of the
deployment path of the front airbag by holding each
side of the steering wheel. Do not cross an arm over
the airbag cover.

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Types of Airbags

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Types of Airbags

Your vehicle is equipped with four types of airbags:

•

Front airbags:

Airbags in front of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

•

Knee airbags:

Airbags under the steering column and under the glove box.

•

Side airbags:

Airbags in the driver’s and front passenger’s seat-backs.

•

Side curtain airbags:

Airbags above the side windows.

Each is discussed in the following pages.

Front Airbags (SRS)

The front SRS airbags inflate in a moderate-to-severe frontal collision to help protect
the head and chest of the driver and/or front passenger.

SRS

(Supplemental Restraint System) indicates that the airbags are designed to

supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant’s primary
restraint system.

The front airbags are housed in the center of the steering wheel for the driver, and
in the dashboard for the front passenger. Both airbags are marked

SRS AIRBAG

.

■

Housing Locations

1

Types of Airbags

The airbags can inflate whenever the power mode is
in ON.

After an airbag inflates in a crash, you may see a
small amount of smoke. This is from the combustion
process of the inflator material and is not harmful.
People with respiratory problems may experience
some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

1

Front Airbags (SRS)

During a frontal crash severe enough to cause one or
both front airbags to deploy, the airbags can inflate
at different rates, depending on the severity of the
crash, whether or not the seat belts are latched, and/
or other factors. Frontal airbags are designed to
supplement the seat belts to help reduce the
likelihood of head and chest injuries in frontal
crashes.

Continued

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Front Airbags (SRS)

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Front airbags are designed to inflate during moderate-to-severe frontal collisions.
When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the sensors send information to the control
unit which signals one or both front airbags to inflate.

A frontal collision can be either head-on or angled between two vehicles, or when a
vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a concrete wall.

While your seat belt restrains your torso, the
front airbag provides supplemental protection
for your head and chest.

The front airbags deflate immediately so that
they won’t interfere with the driver’s visibility
or the ability to steer or operate other
controls.

The total time for inflation and deflation is so fast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in front of them.

■

Operation

■

How the Front Airbags Work

1

How the Front Airbags Work

Although the driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
normally inflate within a split second of each other, it
is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can
happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin,
or threshold that determines whether or not the
airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will
provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental
protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

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Front Airbags (SRS)

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When front airbags should not deploy

Minor frontal crashes:

Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and

help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.

Side impacts:

Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration

causes a driver or front passenger to move toward the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move toward the side of the vehicle.

Rear impacts:

Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear

impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.

Rollovers:

In a rollover, your best form of protection is a seat belt or, if your vehicle

is equipped with a rollover sensor, both a seat belt and a side curtain airbag. Front
airbags, however, are not designed to deploy in a rollover as they would provide
little if any protection.

■

When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.

■

When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe

Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

Continued

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Front Airbags (SRS)

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The airbags have advanced features to help reduce the likelihood of airbag related
injuries to smaller occupants.

The driver’s advanced airbag system includes a
seat position sensor.

Based on information from this sensor and the
severity of the impact, the advanced airbag
system determines the optimal deployment of
the driver’s airbag.

The front passenger’s advanced airbag system
has weight sensors. The sensors are used for
occupant classification to activate or
deactivate the front passenger’s airbag.
For adult size occupants, the system will
automatically activate the front passenger’s
airbag. If a small adult sits in the front
passenger seat and the system does not
recognize him/her as an adult, see

2

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

P. 58

■

Advanced Airbags

1

Advanced Airbags

If there is a problem with the driver’s seat position
sensor or the passenger’s seat weight sensors, the
SRS indicator will come on, and in the event of a
crash, the airbag will deploy (regardless of the driver’s
seating position or passenger’s occupant
classification) with a force corresponding to the
severity of the impact.

2

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Indicator

P. 57

For the advanced front airbags to work properly,
confirm that:

•

The occupant is sitting in an upright position,
wearing the seat belt properly and the seat back is
not excessively reclined.

•

The occupant is not leaning against the door or
center console.

•

The occupant’s feet are placed on the floor in front
of them.

•

There are no objects hanging from the front
passenger’s seat.

•

Only small, lightweight objects are in the seat back
pocket.

•

The steering wheel and passenger’s side dashboard
are not obstructed by any object.

•

No liquid has been spilled on or under the seat.

Driver’s

Seat

Position

Sensor

Passenger’s

Seat

Weight

Sensors

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Airbags

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Front Airbags (SRS)

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We advise against allowing a child age 12 or under to ride in the front passenger’s
seat. However, if you do allow a small child or infant to ride in the front passenger’s
seat, the system is designed to automatically deactivate the front passenger’s airbag.
Do not let a small child or infant ride in the front passenger’s seat if the airbag does
not automatically deactivate.

1

Advanced Airbags

•

There is no child seat or other object pressing
against the rear of the seat or seat back.

•

There is no rear passenger pushing or pulling on
the back of the front passenger’s seat.

•

There are no objects placed under or beside the
front passenger’s seat. Improperly positioned
objects can interfere with the advanced airbag
sensors.

•

The head restraint is not contacting the roof.

2

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

P. 58

•

The floor mat behind the front passenger’s seat is
set in the correct position evenly on the floor. An
improperly placed mat can interfere with the
advanced airbag sensors.

2

Floor Mats

P. 561

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Knee Airbags

Continued

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Knee Airbags

The knee SRS airbags inflate in a moderate-to-severe frontal collision to help keep
the driver and/or front passenger in the proper position and to help maximize the
benefit provided by the vehicle’s other safety features.

SRS

(Supplemental Restraint System) indicates that the airbag is designed to

supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant’s primary
restraint system.

The knee airbag for the driver and the one for
the front passenger are housed under the
steering column and the glove box
respectively.

Both are marked

SRS AIRBAG

.

■

Housing Locations

1

Knee Airbags

Do not attach accessories on or near a knee airbag as
they can interfere with the proper operation of the
airbag, or even hurt someone if the airbag inflates.

The driver and front passenger should not store any
items under the seat or behind their feet. The items
can interfere with proper airbag deployment in the
event of a moderate to severe frontal collision and
may result in inadequate protection.

Housing

Location

Housing

Location

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Knee Airbags

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The driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbag
deploy at the same time as the driver’s and
front passenger’s airbag respectively.

Even if the collision is not severe enough to
deploy the front airbag, the knee airbag may
inflate alone.

■

Operation

When

inflated

Knee

Airbag

When

inflated

Knee Airbag

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Knee Airbags

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■

When knee airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.

■

When knee airbag may not deploy, even though exterior damage appears
severe

Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

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Side Airbags

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Side Airbags

The side airbags help protect the torso and pelvis of the driver or a front passenger
during a moderate-to-severe side impact.

The side airbags are housed in the outside
edge of the driver’s and passenger’s seat-
backs.

Both are marked

SIDE AIRBAG

.

When the sensors detect a moderate-to-
severe side impact, the control unit signals the
side airbag on the impact side to immediately
inflate.

■

Housing Locations

1

Side Airbags

Make sure you and your front seat passenger always
sit upright. Leaning into the path of a side airbag can
prevent the airbag from deploying properly and
increases your risk of serious injury.

Do not attach accessories on or near the side airbags.
They can interfere with the proper operation of the
airbags, or hurt someone if an airbag inflates.

Do not cover or replace the front seat-back covers
without consulting a dealer.
Improperly replacing or covering front seat-back
covers can prevent your side airbags from properly
deploying during a side impact.

Housing

Location

■

Operation

When

inflated

Side

Airbag

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Side Airbags

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■

When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle’s framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.

■

When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe

It is possible for a side airbag not to deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was toward the
far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle’s crushable body parts absorbed
most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have been
needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

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Side Curtain Airbags

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Side Curtain Airbags

The side curtain airbags help protect the heads of the driver and passengers in the
outer seating positions during a moderate-to-severe side impact. The side curtain
airbags equipped in this vehicle are also designed to help reduce the likelihood of
partial and complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes,
particularly rollover crashes.

The side curtain airbags are located in the
ceiling above the side windows on both sides
of the vehicle.

The side curtain airbag is designed to deploy
in a rollover or a moderate-to-severe side
impact.

■

Housing Locations

1

Side Curtain Airbags

To get the best protection from the side curtain
airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts
properly and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof
pillars as they can interfere with the proper operation
of the side curtain airbags.

If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the
passenger’s side curtain airbag deploys even if there
are no occupants on that side of the vehicle.

If the SRS control unit senses that your vehicle is
about to rollover, it immediately deploys both side
curtain airbags and activates the seat belt tensioners
for the front seats and outer rear seats.

Side Curtain Airbag Storage

■

Operation

Deployed Side Curtain Airbag

Continued

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Airbag System Indicators

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When side curtain airbags deploy in a frontal collision

One or both side curtain airbags may also inflate in a moderate-to-severe angled
frontal collision.

Airbag System Indicators

If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on and a
message appears on the multi-information display.

■

When the power mode is set to ON

The indicator comes on for a few seconds,
then goes off. This tells you the system is
working properly.

If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, have the
system checked by a dealer as soon as possible. If you don’t, your airbags and seat
belt tensioners may not work properly when they are needed.

■

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

1

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

3

WARNING

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in
serious injury or death if the airbag systems
or tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts
you to a possible problem.

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Airbags

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Airbag System Indicators

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■

When the passenger airbag off
indicator comes on

The indicator comes on to alert you that the
passenger’s airbag has been turned off. This
occurs if the seat is empty or when the weight
sensors determine that a small child or infant
is on the passenger seat.

Children age 12 or under should always ride properly restrained in a back seat.

2

Child Safety

P. 61

If the indicator is on in the event of a crash, the passenger’s airbag will not deploy.
The passenger’s knee airbag will not deploy, either.

■

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

1

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

To ensure the passenger is detected properly, confirm
that:

•

The occupant is sitting in an upright position,
wearing the seat belt properly and the seat back is
not excessively reclined.

•

The occupant is not leaning against the door or
center console.

•

The occupant’s feet are placed on the floor in front
of them.

•

There are no objects hanging from the front
passenger’s seat.

•

Only small, lightweight objects are in the seat back
pocket.

•

No liquid has been spilled on or under the seat.

•

There is no child seat or other object pressing
against the rear of the seat or seat back.

•

There is no rear passenger pushing or pulling on
the back of the front passenger’s seat.

•

There are no objects placed under or beside the
front passenger’s seat. Improperly positioned
objects can interfere with the advanced airbag
sensors.

•

The floor mat behind the front passenger’s seat is
set in the correct position evenly on the floor. An
improperly placed mat can interfere with the
advanced airbag sensors.

•

The head restraint is not contacting the roof.

U.S.

Canada

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Airbag System Indicators

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1

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and
go off periodically if the total weight on the seat is
near the airbag cutoff threshold. For a small adult,
depending on physique and posture, the system may
not recognize him/her as an adult and thus deactivate
the passenger’s airbag.
If this occurs, please confirm that the conditions set
forth in the above bullet points on the previous page
are met.
If the above conditions are met and the indicator is
still on, then with the transmission in park, turn the
ignition off and back on.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as
possible if:

•

All of the above conditions are met, and the
indicator comes on with an adult seated in the
front passenger seat.

•

The seat is empty and the indicator is off.

Do not allow an adult passenger to ride in the front
seat when the indicator is on.