When Should An Air Bag Inflate - GMC Jimmy 2004 Owner's Manual

CAUTION:
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If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put
anything between an occupant and an air bag,
and don't attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal, or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate only
if the impact speed is above the system's designed
'threshold level'. If your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is about
9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level can vary,
however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be
somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle
strikes something that will move or deform, such as a
parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The air bag
is not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear impacts, or in
many side impacts because inflation would not help the
occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact
and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough
terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See Off-Road
Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on
page 4-15 for more tips on off-road driving.
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