SW1 L4-1.9L SOHC VIN 8 (1996)
if belted, to hit the steering wheel or windshield in a crash.
Distance from driver air bag. Despite taking all reasonable steps to move back from the driver air bag, the driver is not able to maintain a 10-inch
distance from the center of his or her breastbone to the center of the driver air bag cover.
To Qualify for an Air Bag On-Off Switch for the Passenger Air Bag
Infant. An infant (less than 1-year old) must ride in the front seat because:
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the vehicle has no rear seat;
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the 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:
^
the vehicle has no rear seat;
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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 the 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 air bag to pose a special risk for the passenger; and
^
makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning off the air bag and allowing the
passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash.
NHTSA has emphasized that even within these risk groups, most people would still be safer with the air bag on than with it off, so not everyone in a risk
group is a good candidate for installation of an air bag on-off switch. Individual circumstances will control.
(2)
The Owner Must Fill Out and Sign NHTSAs Request Form
Owners who believe they qualify for an air bag on-off switch must obtain a NHTSA form entitled "Request for Air Bag On-Off Switch." An owner
who asks you how to get this form can be told to contact NHTSA directly. The NHTSA address and telephone number are:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Attention: Air Bag Switch Request Forms
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590-1000
1-800-424-9393
By signing this NHTSA form, the customer affirms several things, as follows:
First, the customer attests that he or she is the owner or lessee of the vehicle.
Second, the customer attests that he or she falls within one of the risk groups (or that another driver or passenger of the vehicle does).
Third, the customer acknowledges receiving and reading an information brochure published by NHTSA entitled "Air Bags & On-Off Switches,
Information for An Informed Decision." (This NHTSA brochure is available directly from NHTSA at the above address or by calling NHTSA at
its hotline: 1-800-424-9393.) The NHTSA brochure emphasizes the benefit of air bags to almost all drivers and occupants and makes clear that
very few people should consider getting air bag on-off switches.
Fourth, the customer agrees that the Retailer may insist that the customer sign a "waiver of liability" before installing an air bag on-off switch.
NHTSA has not suggested any particular form of waiver for this purpose. We strongly advise that Retailers consult their own attorneys about the
form of waiver they may want to use and its likely effect.
(3)
The Customer Must Send the Completed Form ("Request for Air Bag On-Off Switch") to NHTSA
After completing the NHTSA form (" Request for Air Bag On-Off Switch"), the customer (not the Retailer) must send the form to NHTSA in
Washington, D.C. NHTSA will then review the form. If NHTSA finds that the customer qualifies for an air bag on-off switch, NHTSA will send
