Lotus Evora 2011 Owner's Handbook Manual page 40

incorporated into the SRS control module, detects the rate of
deceleration in a collision, and when appropriate, the first stage
of airbag inflation is initiated. This causes the airbags to inflate
at a rate calculated to provide appropriate protection, whilst
minimising the potential for airbag induced injury, especially
where an occupant is not positioned optimally at the triggering
moment. If a higher rate of deceleration is detected, indicating a
more severe impact, the second stage inflation rate is triggered
to more rapidly inflate the airbags. In either case, both airbags
inflate in a fraction of a second to form a cushion for the driver's
and front passenger's upper bodies. The airbags then deflate
rapidly to minimise any obstruction to the driver, and reduce any
danger of suffocation.
Initiated at the same time as the airbags is a device on each
front seat belt reel assembly, which applies a tightening force to
the belt reel to remove any slack from the belt.
Note that the SRS will deploy only in moderate to severe frontal
and near frontal collisions, and is not designed to be triggered
in rollover, rear or low speed frontal collisions, or in some types
of side impacts. Remember that the seat belts, when correctly
worn, provide the primary crash protection to the occupants,
especially in collisions below the actuation threshold of the
airbag system, and during types of accident which do not cause
airbag deployment. Therefore, all occupants must always wear
seat belts. See the preceding section on 'Seat Belts'.
The system incorporates a self-diagnostic facility, which
continuously monitors the SRS electrical circuits for faults, and
if necessary, lights a tell tale lamp in the instrument cluster.
Most components of the SRS will require replacement after an
airbag deployment.
WARNING
• You can be killed or seriously injured in a crash if you aren't
wearing your seat belt - even with airbags. Wearing your
seat belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting
things inside the car or being ejected from it.
• Airbags are designed to work with seat belts, but don't
replace them. The airbags are designed to deploy only in
moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes, and
will offer little or no protection in rollover, rear or low-speed
frontal crashes, or in many types of side impact.
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