Side-impact air bag (SAB) technology has advanced rapidly in recent years. SABs offer additional protection to two main areas of the body – the head and the chest – during side-impact crashes.

SABs providing head protection show these footnotes in the charts: curtain (c), tubular (t), or combo (b). Curtain and tubular SABs typically deploy downward from the vehicle’s roof rail. Combination or “combo” air bags typically deploy upward from the seat back and provide both head and chest protection. SABs providing chest-only protection will have the following footnotes in the chart depending on their mount location: door-mounted (d) or seat-mounted (s).

You should read the owner’s manual for specific information about the side-impact air bag system in a vehicle.

SAB Out-of-Position Tests

A Technical Working Group of experts representing the automotive and insurance industries has developed voluntary SAB testing procedures to minimize the potential risk of SAB-related injuries for out-of-position occupants. If a vehicle has an “M” in the column labeled “SAB Out-of-Position Tests,” it means the manufacturer has reported to the government that all SABs in the vehicle have successfully completed the full battery of tests specified under the voluntary guidelines.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and www.safercar.gov