Chevrolet 2007 Monte Carlo Owner's Manual page 74

If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that does not move or deform, the threshold
level for the reduced deployment is about
12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h), and the threshold
level for a full deployment is about 18 to 22 mph
(29 to 35.4 km/h). The threshold level can
vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range.
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash
speeds. For example:
•
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a moving object.
•
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inflate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits an object that
does not deform.
•
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole),
the airbags could inflate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object
(like a wall).
•
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle,
the airbags could inflate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle goes straight into
the object.
74
Frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger)
are not intended to inflate during vehicle
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
Your vehicle may or may not have side impact
airbags. See Airbag System on page 68.
Side impact airbags are intended to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact
airbag will inflate if the crash severity is above the
system's designed threshold level. The threshold
level can vary with specific vehicle design.
Side impact airbags are not intended to inflate in
frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers, or
rear impacts. Both side impact airbags will deploy
when either side of the vehicle is struck unless
the passenger sensing system has turned off the
passenger's side impact airbag. See Passenger
Sensing System on page 77 for more information.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether
an airbag should have inflated simply because of
the damage to a vehicle or because of what
the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inflation
is determined by what the vehicle hits, the
angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle
slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts.
For side impact airbags, inflation is determined by
the location and severity of the impact.