BMW M5 Owner's Handbook Manual page 74

Airbags
There are the following airbags beneath the
covers indicated:
1 Front airbags for the driver and front
passenger
2 Head-level airbags at front and rear
3 Side airbags at front and rear
Protective effect
Comply with the notes on page 35, or
there may be a risk to your personal
safety.<
The front airbags protect the driver and front
passenger in the event of a head-on collision, if
the protective action of the seat belts alone
would be insufficient. The head-level and side
airbags provide protection in the event of a
side-on collision. The side airbag has the effect
of supporting the upper body from the side. The
head-level airbag supports the head of the
seat's occupant.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by
every collision, e.g. in more minor accidents,
certain roll-over situations and rear-end
collisions.
Never attach any material to the airbag
covers with adhesive, place material over
them or modify them in any way. Do not dis-
mantle the airbag occupant restraint system.
Do not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, doors and roof posts as well
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not remove the
steering wheel. Avoid touching the system's
components immediately after it has been
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triggered off, as there is a risk of sustaining
burns. If the airbag occupant restraint system
develops a fault, is shut down out of use or has
been activated, have it checked, repaired or dis-
mantled and the airbag generators scrapped
only by BMW Service or by a workshop that
*
operates to BMW specifications and has suita-
bly trained personnel and the necessary per-
mits for handling explosive devices. Any care-
less or unskilled interference with the system
could lead to its failure or to accidental trigger-
ing off with the risk of
Operational status of airbag system
From ignition key position 1, the warning light
comes on for a short time to indicate that the
entire airbag system and the belt tensioners are
operational.
Airbag system faulty
>
The warning light does not come on from
ignition key position 1.
>
The warning light is on permanently.
otherwise the risk that the system will not func-
tion as intended even if a correspondingly
injury.<
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay, as there is
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