Maserati Gransport Owner's Manual page 31

In case of a low impact head on
collision (in which the retaining action
of the seat belts affords adequate
protection), or front angular collisions,
the airbags do not inflate.
In case of a rear collision (e.g., impact
from behind by another vehicle) or the
airbags do not inflate as they do not
offer any additional protection.
Therefore the bag's failure to engage
in these cases is not an indication of a
system malfunction.
Passenger side airbag
The passenger side airbag is designed
to afford supplementary protection to
a person wearing the seat belt.
It is larger than the driver's side airbag
to fill the larger part of the space
between the occupant and the
dashboard.
Side airbags (side bags)
The side airbags are designed to help
provide better protection for those in
the front seats in the event of certain
moderate to severe side-on collisions.
They consist of almost instantaneously
inflating bags housed in the door
panels.
In case of a lateral collision, the
electronic control unit processes the
signals from the two satellite sensors
mounted near to the rear wheelhouse
to determine the local acceleration
and it activates the side air bag if
necessary. The side bag inflates by
bursting through the special seam in
the door knob.
The bag inflates instantaneously
between the passenger body and the
door. It then deflates immediately.
In case of low impact lateral collisions
(for which the retaining action of the
seat belts affords adequate
protection), the airbags are designed
to not inflate.
It follows that the side airbags do not
replace or substitute the seat belts but
supplement them, and hence the seat
belts must always be worn as provided
by established legislation and in most
state and other parts of the world.
WARNING: The front and/or side
airbags may inflate if the vehicle
suffers a violent impact beneath the
car body, for example when hitting
curbs, colliding with steps or speed
bumps, potholes etc.
WARNING: Airbag inflation releases a
small amount of powder. This powder
is not harmful and does not indicate
the presence of fire. Also, the surface
of the deployed bag and the interior of
the vehicle may be covered with a
powdery residue: this powder may
irritate skin and eyes. If contact occurs,
wash with a pH neutral soap and
water.
Front and side airbags
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