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Q: Can equipment such as radar devices, video cameras, and
radio trees be mounted in a specialty vehicle equipped
with a right front passenger frontal airbag?
A: Yes, but care must be taken to properly mount the equipment
outside of the airbag "deployment zone."
Q: What is the airbag "deployment zone"?
A: The term "deployment zone" describes the space an airbag
takes up when fully inflated. Airbags need room to work
properly, and anything in the "deployment zone" – such
as improperly mounted equipment – can greatly affect the
performance of the airbag.
Q: How can I identify the airbag "deployment zone" in my
vehicle?
A: See Airbag Deployment Diagrams for more information.
The diagrams provide the approximate dimensions of the
"deployment zones" for your specialty vehicle. Before doing
any service work, including the installation of any equipment,
consult the appropriate service manual.
Q: Is it possible to shield equipment so it does not interfere
with airbag deployment?
A: While shielding may protect certain equipment from being
damaged or dislodged, it may also negatively affect how
an airbag inflates. Therefore, we cannot recommend the
placement of any equipment in the deployment zone, even
when shielding.
Q: Can the installation of push bumpers on the front end of
the vehicle affect the deployment of the airbag?
A: It is not likely that installing push bumpers will affect sensing
for the airbag as long as the vehicle structure itself is not
modified. GM is not aware of any adverse defects from the
many push bumpers that have been installed on current
model GM police vehicles with airbags.
See "Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle" in
the owner manual for more information.
Always use seat belts and the correct restraint for your child's age and size, even with airbags. Even in vehicles equipped with the Passenger Sensing System,
children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate infant, child or booster seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front
seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal airbag. See the Owner's Manual and the child safety seat instructions for more safety information.
AIRBAGS FAQ
Customer-Installed Equipment
Before installing equipment, read the following.
Airbags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye.
No objects, such as shotguns, should be placed over or near
the airbag covers. Equipment mounted too close to an inflating
airbag could prevent the airbag from operating properly to
protect the occupants or could be forced into an occupant
or break and become a dangerous projectile, causing severe
injury or even death. To help prevent injury and to allow the
airbag to perform as it was designed, do not mount equipment
inside the airbag deployment zones.
Do not install equipment in the inflation path of any airbag. The
equipment may interfere with the deployment of the airbag,
may damage the airbag, or otherwise be damaged or forced
into an occupant, all of which may cause severe injury or even
death.
Do not attach anything to the steering wheel hub or mount any
equipment within the deployment zone for the driver airbag.
Do not mount equipment on the passenger side of the
instrument panel top pad deployment zone. Equipment should
not be mounted on or around the passenger airbag opening
because of a deploying airbag. To allow the airbag to perform
as it was designed, do not mount equipment inside the airbag
deployment zone.
Do not use seat accessories that block the inflation path of the
driver or passenger seat-mounted side impact airbag or install
equipment in the seat-mounted side impact airbag deployment
zones.
Do not mount a security barrier such that the ends of the barrier
or brackets are within the roof-rail airbag deployment zones.
Avoid installing wiring for roof-rail emergency lighting or radio
antennas that may restrict the proper deployment of the roof-
rail airbags.
Do not use seat accessories, console accessories, or other
accessories that block the inflation path of the driver seat front
center airbag (if equipped). Do not remove the front center
console to install a police package center console, or otherwise
install equipment or mount equipment between or just behind
the front bucket seats on vehicles equipped with the driver seat
front center airbag.
GM approved service procedures must be followed to remove
and reinstall the instrument panel to the pad to ensure proper
airbag deployment.
The police vehicle has a rollover sensor mounted on the
centerline of the vehicle between the driver and front outboard
passenger positions. If the vehicle has individual front seats,
the rollover sensor will be exposed. Do not mount equipment
within 25 mm (1 in) of the rollover sensor. This may affect the
performance of multiple restraint system.
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