Date: October 4, 1994
Since Saturns are now offered with passenger side air bags, it is appropriate to reiterate important child restraint safety information.
The Owner's Handbook for Saturn vehicles equipped with passenger side air bags contains the following child restraint information:
"Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We recommend that you put your child restraint in the rear seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here's why:"
"CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right-front passenger's air bag inflates. This is because the back of a rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Air bags inflate with great force, faster than a blink of an eye. Rear-facing child restraints are not compatible with the forces air bags exhibit during deployment. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in the rear seat.
You may, however, secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat. Before you secure a forward-facing child restraint, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. Or, secure the child restraint in the rear seat."
When selling a used car, make certain your customer is familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations regarding child restraints. You should always provide the following caution:
It is always better to secure a child restraint in the rear seat. Never use a rear-facing infant seat in any position equipped with an air bag.
It is important that your new and used car sales associates, and other appropriate customer contact personnel, become familiar with this information and pro - actively advise customers on the proper use of child restraints in vehicles equipped with passenger side supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) systems (air bags). Your assistance in reviewing this with them will be appreciated.
Keith Wicks Manager, Service Engineering
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.