If the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your vehicle is 8600 or above, your vehicle has an airbag off switch. You can find the GVWR on the certification/tire label on the rear edge of the driver's door. See Loading the Vehicle for more information.
You can use the airbag off switch on the instrument panel to turn off the right front passenger's airbag.
This switch should only be turned to airbag OFF if the person in the right front passenger's position is a member of a passenger risk group identified by the national government as follows:
Infant.An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat because:
| • | my vehicle has no rear seat; |
| • | my vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear-facing infant seat; or |
| • | the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition. |
Child age 1 to 12.A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because:
| • | my vehicle has no rear seat; |
| • | although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to 12 sometimes must ride in the front because no space is available in the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or |
| • | the child has a medical condition which, according to the child's physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition. |
Medical Condition.A passenger has a medical condition which, according to his or her physician:
| • | causes the passenger airbag to pose a special risk for the passenger; and |
| • | makes the potential harm from the passenger airbag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash. |
Caution: If the right front passenger's airbag is turned off for a person who is not in a risk group identified by the national government, that person will not have the extra protection of an airbag. In a crash, the airbag will not be able to inflate and help protect the person sitting there. Do not turn off the passenger's airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group. See "airbag Off Switch" in the Index.
To turn off the right front passenger's airbag, insert your ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to airbag OFF.
The airbag off light will come on to let you know that the right front passenger's airbag is off. The light will stay on to remind you that the airbag is off. The right front passenger's airbag will remain off until you turn it back on.
Caution: If the airbag readiness light ever comes on when you have turned off the airbag, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. The right front passenger's airbag could inflate even though the switch is off. If this ever happens, do not let anyone whom the national government has identified as a member of a passenger airbag risk group sit in the right front passenger's position (for example, do not secure a rear-facing child restraint in your vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced. See Airbag Readiness Light for additional information.
To turn the right front passenger's airbag on again, insert your ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the on position.
