Side-Impact Protection - Cadillac BLS Owner's Manual

460_OM_MY09.book Page 39 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 10:32 AM
Head protection
Pillar trim and the headlining are designed
to absorb energy from a head impact. After
a collision, parts located where a passenger
was sitting must be replaced. Retrofitting of
other parts on pillar trim and the headlining
is prohibited as this could hinder deploy-
ment of the inflatable curtain.

Side-impact protection

WARNING
• Never fit seat covers. Seat covers can
prevent the side airbags from inflating
correctly and providing the intended
extra protection.
• Do not place any objects in the area
that would be filled by an inflated side
airbag.
• For optimum protection, sit upright
with the seat belt correctly fastened.
• The side impact protection is only
deployed in the event of a side-on col-
lision, not by a rear-end collision or if
the car rolls over.
• Damage or wear to the upholstery or
seams of the seat in the area near the
side airbag must be immediately recti-
fied. We recommend that you contact
an authorised Cadillac workshop.
Safety
The front seat side airbags protect the upper
body and are integrated in the outside of the
front seat backrests. The inflatable curtain is
a component of the side impact protection
system. See page 40.
The side airbags are designed to inflate only
under certain conditions caused by a side-
on collision. Inflation depends on such fac-
tors as the force and angle of the impact, the
speed of the car on impact, and the point on
the side of the car at which the impact
occurs.
There are two sensors on each side of the
car: one at the rear of each front door sill and
one in the lower part of each C-pillar. The
side-impact protection is only activated on
the side of impact, while the seat belt pre-
tensioners on both sides are deployed.
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