Table of Contents
Advertisement
CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don't attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
-
frontal or near
frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system's designed
"threshold level." If your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is about
9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level can
vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can
be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle
strikes something that will move or deform, such as a
parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The air bag
is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear
impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.
1-22
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag
should have inflated simply because of the damage to a
vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Inflation
is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly
the vehicle slows down in frontal or near
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system
detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing system
triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the
air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part
of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in the
instrument panel in front of the right front passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily
because an occupant's motion is not toward those air
bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near
-
frontal impacts.
-
frontal collisions,
-
frontal collisions.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
