2023 Land Rover Defender Air Bags
AIRBAG SAFETY
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. Failure to observe warnings and cautions may result in vehicle damage, injury, or DEATH in the event of an accident.
- High-speed impacts may cause serious injury or death, irrespective of the safety features fitted to a vehicle.
- Always wear seat belts, for every journey, no matter how short, in all seating positions. The airbag Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) adds to the overall effectiveness of the seat belts, but it does not replace them.
- Always make sure the roof lining and door pillar trims are correctly fitted, in good condition, and free from obstruction.
- Always wear correctly positioned seat belts, and sit as far back as practically possible from the airbag. Airbags inflate at high speeds and can cause facial abrasions or other injuries.
- Always maintain a gap between the side of the vehicle, and the head and torso to enable unobstructed inflation of the airbags.
Make sure to read and fully understand the following warnings. See CHILD SEAT SAFETY for more information.
- Children under the age of 13 may be hurt or injured by the expansion and impact of the airbag.
- Children must sit in the back seat.
- Child seats should not be installed in the front seats.
- Children must use seat belts and child restraint systems.
- Children should sit as far away from the airbag as possible.3
AIRBAG OPERATION
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
The airbag Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) inflates instantaneously, and cannot provide protection in secondary or some other types of impact. Under these circumstances, the only protection is provided by a correctly worn seat belt.
Airbag deployment is dependent on the rate at which the passenger compartment changes velocity following a collision. Circumstances affecting different collisions, vehicle speed, angle of impact, type and size of object hit, etc. vary considerably and affect the rate of vehicle deceleration accordingly.
The airbags and SRS are not designed to operate as a result of:
- Rear impacts.
- Minor front impacts.
- Minor side impacts.
- Heavy braking.
- Driving over bumps and pot holes.
Therefore, it follows that considerable superficial damage to the vehicle can occur, without causing the airbags to deploy.
AIRBAG OBSTRUCTION
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
Never obstruct the operation of the airbags by placing any part of the body or any objects in contact with, or close to, an airbag module. In the event of an accident, any items obstructing the airbag could cause harm to occupants.
Never place objects over or near the airbag on the instrument panel. Objects can cause harm if the vehicle is in a crash severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.
Unauthorized modifications of the vehicle or parts may invalidate the vehicle’s warranty.
Examples of obstructions include:
- Any part of an occupant’s body in contact with, or close to, an airbag cover.
- Objects placed on, or close to, an airbag cover.
- Clothing, sunscreens, or other material hanging from grab handles.
- Clothing, cushions, or other material covering seat-mounted airbags.
- Seat covers that are not approved by the vehicle manufacturer, or specifically designed for use with seat-mounted airbags.
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT EFFECTS
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
Warning: When the airbag inflates:
- A fine powder is released. The powder may cause irritation to the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from eyes and any cuts or abrasions. The powder can also cause breathing difficulty for people who suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems.
- A loud noise is emitted. The noise may cause temporary discomfort and loss of hearing.
- Some airbag components become very hot. Do not touch the airbag components until they have cooled sufficiently.
- If any of these problems occur, get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If breathing problems persist, seek medical attention.
- After inflation, the front and seat-mounted side airbags deflate immediately. Deflation provides a gradual cushioning effect for the occupants and also makes sure the driver’s forward vision is not obscured.
AIRBAG WARNING LAMP
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
The warning lamp indicates a potential fault with the vehicle restraint system. Never use a child restraint on the front passenger seat if the warning lamp indicates a potential fault with the vehicle restraint system.
The instrument panel displays an illuminated airbag warning lamp as a bulb check when the ignition is switched on. See AIRBAG (YELLOW).
If any of the following airbag warning lamp conditions occur, the vehicle should be checked by a retailer/authorised repairer immediately.
- Fails to illuminate when the ignition is switched on.
- Fails to extinguish within 6 seconds of the ignition being switched on.
- Illuminates at any time, other than during the bulb check, when the ignition is on.
When the ignition is switched on, a diagnostic control unit monitors the readiness of the system’s electrical circuits. Elements of the Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) being monitored include:
- SRS warning lamp.
- Rotary coupler.
- Airbag modules.
- Seat belt pre-tensioners.
- Airbag diagnostic control unit.
- Crash and rollover sensors.
- Airbag status indicator.
- Front seat belt buckle switches.
- Front seat track position sensor.
- Airbag wiring harness.
Not all of the SRS Elements listed are fitted to all specifications of vehicle.
AIRBAG WARNING LAMP
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
The warning lamp indicates a potential fault with the vehicle restraint system. Never use a child restraint on the front passenger seat if the warning lamp indicates a potential fault with the vehicle restraint system.
The instrument panel displays an illuminated airbag warning lamp as a bulb check when the ignition is switched on. See AIRBAG (YELLOW).
If any of the following airbag warning lamp conditions occur, the vehicle should be checked by a retailer/authorised repairer immediately.
- Fails to illuminate when the ignition is switched on.
- Fails to extinguish within 6 seconds of the ignition being switched on.
- Illuminates at any time, other than during the bulb check, when the ignition is on.
When the ignition is switched on, a diagnostic control unit monitors the readiness of the system’s electrical circuits. Elements of the Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) being monitored include:
- SRS warning lamp.
- Rotary coupler.
- Airbag modules.
- Seat belt pre-tensioners.
- Airbag diagnostic control unit.
- Crash and rollover sensors.
- Airbag status indicator.
- Front seat belt buckle switches.
- Front seat track position sensor.
- Airbag wiring harness.
Not all of the SRS Elements listed are fitted to all specifications of vehicle.
AIRBAG SERVICE INFORMATION
- Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
- Never attempt to service, repair, replace, modify, or tamper with any part of the Supplementary Restraint System (SRS). Do not attempt to service, repair, replace, modify, or tamper with any wiring or components in the vicinity of the SRS. Doing so may cause the system to trigger or render the system inoperative.
- Never use any electrical test equipment or devices in the vicinity of any SRS components or wiring. Doing so may cause the system to trigger or render the system inoperative.
Warning: The following operations should only be carried out by a retailer/authorized repairer or a qualified person:
Fitment of electrical, or electronic, equipment and accessories.
Modification to the front or sides of the vehicle’s exterior.
Attachment of accessories to the front or sides of the vehicle.
Note: Always consult a retailer/authorized repairer if:
- An airbag inflates.
- The front or sides of the vehicle are damaged.
- Any part of the airbag SRS shows signs of cracking or damage, including trim covering airbags.
- The amber airbag warning lamp illuminates.
DISABILITY MODIFICATIONS
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
Occupants with disabilities that may require the vehicle to be modified must contact a retailer/authorized repairer before any modifications are made. Incorrect modifications may result in death or serious injury in the event of an accident.
AIRBAG LOCATIONS
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
Airbag locations:
- Front passenger’s airbag.
- Front seat side airbags.
- Curtain airbags.
- Driver’s airbag.
Commercial vehicles
Airbag locations:
- Passenger’s airbag.
- Seat-mounted head and thorax airbags.
- Driver’s airbag.
FRONT AIRBAGS
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
The front passenger and driver airbags deploy depending on the severity of the frontal impact.
SIDE AIRBAGS
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
The side airbags are designed to protect the thorax region of the torso. In general, the side airbags deploy in the event of a side impact, and then only on the side of the impact.
Commercial vehicles: The side airbags are designed to protect the head and torso of the occupant. In general, the side airbags deploy in the event of a side impact, and then only on the side of the impact. In addition, the side airbags may also deploy in some frontal impacts.
CURTAIN AIRBAGS
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
The curtain airbags are deployed in side impact and rollover events, providing greater protection from serious head injuries.
Curtain airbags do not only inflate as a result of side impacts and rollover events. The curtain airbags may deploy in some frontal impacts.
DISABLING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG
Make sure to read and fully understand the relevant warnings before using any of the features in this section. See AIRBAG SAFETY.
- The passenger airbag should only be disabled when a child restraint is fitted to the front passenger seat. Incorrect usage of the passenger airbag presents a high risk of death or serious injury in the event of an accident.
- Crash test data and statistics show that a correctly fitted child seat in a rear seat is the safest place to restrain a child.
- Do not use a child restraint on a seat protected by an operational airbag in front of it. Doing so presents a high risk of death or serious injury to the child in the event of an accident.
- Before checking the operational status of the front passenger airbag, switch the vehicle’s ignition on. Wait until the warning lamp bulb check period of 8 seconds has elapsed before carrying out any checks. Incorrect usage of the passenger airbag presents a high risk of death or serious injury in the event of an accident.\
- As soon as the child seat is removed from the front passenger seat, the airbag must be switched on. Failure to do so will put any front seat passengers at greater risk of death or serious injury in the event of an accident.
- Do not fit a child restraint to the front passenger seat if the airbag warning lamp illuminates continuously with the ignition switched on. An inflating airbag could impact with the seat and could cause serious injury.
- The passenger airbag must be disabled when a rearward-facing child restraint is fitted to the front passenger seat. Failure to do so presents a high risk of death or serious injury to the child in the event of an accident.
Disabling the passenger airbag is market dependent.
When the vehicle is stationary, the front passenger’s airbag can be switched on and off via the vehicle instrument panel menu. See INSTRUMENT PANEL OVERVIEW.
An airbag status indicator lamp, mounted in the overhead console, displays the operational status of the passenger airbag, as shown in the following table:
| Setting | Passenger airbag status | Airbag status indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Off. | Disabled. | PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF |
| On. | Activated. | ON PASSENGER AIRBAG* |
* Displays for 60 seconds, then extinguishes.
A status lamp also illuminates in the overhead console to confirm that the passenger airbag is disabled.
Deactivation of the passenger airbag also deactivates the side airbag on the passenger side.