What Makes An Airbag Inflate; How Does An Airbag Restrain; Inflates - Chevrolet Captiva Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Captiva Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast LHD-
14860584) - 2021 - CRC - 5/18/20
32 Seats and Restraints

What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

In the inflation process, the sensing system
will send an electronic signal to trigger the
gas generator; the generator will release gas
to inflate the air bag and make the air bag
pop up from the cover plate. The gas
generator, air bag and relevant members are
all components of the air bag module.

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

The air bag supplements protection provided
by the seat belt by distributing the impact
force more evenly to the occupant s body.
However, some occupants bodies do not
move toward the air bags in collisions where
an external object intrudes into the vehicle.
The air bag cannot provide corresponding
protection. The air bag should only be
deemed as a supplementary device of the
seat belt.
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates?
After an air bag is inflated, the process of
deflating will occur quickly. It may be
questionable if the air bag ever inflated
because the bleeding speed is very fast.
When an air bag deflates, some smoke and
dust may come out from its air vent.
Danger
When an airbag inflates, there may be
dust in the air. This dust could cause
breathing problems for people with a
history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is
safe to do so. If you have breathing
problems but cannot get out of the
vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing problems
following an airbag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
If the vehicle power supply system can still
function normally after a collision, the
vehicle will unlock doors automatically, turn
on the hazard warning lamps and cut off
the fuel system after the air bag is inflated.
The driver may be able to control a function
switch to lock doors, turn off interior lamps,
and turn off the hazard warning lamps.
The deployment of the front passenger air
bag may also cause damage to the
windshield.
The air bag can only be inflated once per
its design. After a collision and the air
bag inflates, some parts of the air bag
system need to be replaced. If you do not
have these parts replaced, the air bag
system will not provide protection in
another collision/accident. The air bag
system parts that shall be replaced
include the air bag module, air bag
control module, seat belt pretensioner
and other parts.
Air Bag System Repair, Maintenance and
Replacement
The air bag system must be maintained by
a qualified and professional technician.
Improper maintenance will cause the air bag
system to not function normally. See the
nearest dealer for repair and maintenance of
the air bag system.
Caution
If the air bag cover is damaged, opened
or broken, the air bag may not function
normally. It shall be repaired as soon as
possible.
Never try to repair, adjust, remove or install
any air bag system component. Never try to
refit the front bumper of the vehicle body