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What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity. the air bag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a
crash. The sensing system triggers
a
chemical reaction of the sodium azide
sealed in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen
gas,
which intlates
the air bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are a l l part o f the
air bag modules packed inside
the
steering wheel and i n the instrument
panel
in
front of the right front passenger.
How does an air
bag
restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions: even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. The air
bag supplements the protection provided
by safcty
belts. Air bags
distribute the force o f the Impact more cvcnly over the occupant's upper
body,
stopping the occupani. more gradually. But air
bags
would not
help
you
in.
many types of
collisions. including rotlovers and rear and side
impacts.
primarily beca.use an.
occupant's 1not.iorr
is
not toward the air bag-
Air bags
c.
should never be regarded
as
anything more than a supplement:
t o
sa.t.'ety
belts. and, then
ody
ill
nloderate
1.0
w w r t lronta! or nt';lr-trot?tal
collisions.
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