Smart Bag" System (Multistage Front Airbags) - Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Owner's Manual

"SMART BAG" SYSTEM
(MULTISTAGE FRONT
2
AIRBAGS)
The front airbags (driver's and passenger's) are
safety devices which activate in the event of a
head-on collision.
They consist of an instantaneously inflating bag
contained in a special housing:
- in the centre of the steering wheel on the
driver side;
- in the dashboard and with a larger size bag
(full size airbag) on the passenger side.
The front airbags (driver's and passenger's) are
safety devices designed to protect the occupants
in the event of head-on collisions of medium-high
severity. They act by placing a cushion (airbag)
between the occupant and the steering wheel or
the dashboard.
In the event of a collision, an ECU processes
the deceleration signals and activates, when
necessary, airbag deployment.
The airbag inflates almost instantaneously and
positions itself between the front passengers and
potentially harmful structures of the vehicle. The
airbags deflate immediately afterwards.
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Both are dual-stage airbags, therefore, their
deployment depends on the impact severity. In
low-severity collisions, the airbag inflates less
than in high-severity collisions.
CAUTION
In the event of a collision,
any occupants not wearing their
seat belt will be thrown forward
and will come into contact with the
airbag before it is fully inflated. This
reduces the protection offered by the
airbag. The front airbags (driver's and
passenger's, with passenger seated)
are not a substitute for the seat belts
but work in combination with them.
As a consequence, the seat belts must
always be worn as provided for by
applicable legislation in Europe and in
most non-European countries.
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CAUTION
Never remove the steering
wheel. If necessary, have this
operation performed at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer's
Network.
In the case of low-severity head on collisions
(in which the restraining action of the seat belts
provides adequate protection), the airbags will
not be activated.
The airbags do not activate in the event of rear
and side collisions, as they do not provide any
supplementary protection.
Therefore, an airbag failure to activate in these
cases is not indicative of a system malfunction.