Kia Telluride: Air bag - advanced supplemental restraint system / How does the air bag system operate?

• Air bags are capable of deploying only when the ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ON position. Under certain conditions, the system can remain active for approximately three minutes after the ignition has been switched off.

• The appropriate air bags deploy during sufficiently severe frontal or side impacts to help reduce the likelihood of serious injury to the occupants of the Kia Telluride.

• There is no fixed vehicle speed that guarantees air bag deployment. The system evaluates several factors, including crash severity, impact direction, vehicle deceleration, and sensor data before determining whether deployment is necessary.

• Air bags are not designed to inflate during every collision. Whether deployment occurs depends on numerous conditions, including impact angle, collision force, vehicle speed, the characteristics of the object struck, and additional crash-related variables evaluated by the SRS.

• The front air bags inflate and deflate in a fraction of a second. Because the process happens so quickly, occupants rarely see the bags inflate and will typically notice them only after they have fully deployed and begun to deflate.

• Besides activating during qualifying side impacts, the side and curtain air bags may also deploy when the rollover sensing system detects conditions that indicate a rollover event.

• The curtain air bags remain inflated longer than the front air bags to provide additional protection against occupant ejection, particularly when seat belts are worn correctly.

• To deliver effective protection, air bags must inflate extremely rapidly. They expand between the occupants and interior structures before body contact occurs, helping reduce the risk of severe injuries. Because of this rapid deployment, minor abrasions, bruising, or other impact-related injuries may occur during inflation.

• Occupants who sit too close to the steering wheel or front passenger air bag may be exposed to a higher risk of serious or even fatal injury if deployment occurs. Always maintain a proper seating position and adjust the seat as far back as practical while still maintaining full vehicle control.

Noise and smoke

When the air bags deploy in the Kia Telluride, you will hear a loud report and notice a cloud of smoke and fine powder inside the cabin. This is a normal result of the air bag inflator operating and does not indicate a malfunction. After deployment, some occupants may temporarily experience discomfort caused by the seat belt, the expanding air bag, or the airborne powder.

Although the smoke and powder are generally non-toxic, they may temporarily irritate the eyes, nose, throat, or skin. Wash any exposed areas with clean, cool water as soon as possible. If irritation continues after exposure, seek medical advice.

Do not install a Child Restraint System (CRS) on the front passenger’s seat

Never install a rear-facing Child Restraint System in the front passenger seat of the Kia Telluride.

If the front passenger air bag deploys, it can strike the rear-facing child restraint with tremendous force, creating a high risk of serious or fatal injury to the child.

Front-facing child restraint systems should also not be installed in the front passenger seat whenever a rear seating position is available. If the front passenger air bag inflates during a collision, it may cause severe or fatal injuries to a child seated in the restraint.