Single Stage Air Bags; When Should An Air Bag Inflate - GMC 2003 Savana Owner's Manual

{
CAUTION:
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 the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your
vehicle is 8600 or above, your vehicle has single stage
air bags. If the GVWR is below 8600 then your
vehicle has dual stage air bags. You can find the GVWR
on the certification label on the rear edge of the
driver's door. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-30
for more information.

Single Stage Air Bags

If your vehicle has frontal air bags with single stage
deployment and 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.
1-69