Volkswagen Passat 2006 Service Training page 22

Occupant protection
The two-stage airbags
Two separate igniter circuits and charges are fitted within the two-stage airbags.
Both stages are always deployed in the event of an accident.
However, the deployment times are staggered depending on the accident severity.
In a minor accident, the time between deployment of the two stages is greater than in the event of a severe
accident.
Minor Severe
accident accident
Time Airbag inflation Time
level
S339_150
Ignition of an airbag stage
The time gap between the deployment of both stages influences the airbag's inflation level:
If the second stage is deployed later, the airbag's pressure from initial deployment has already dissipated
somewhat, and the airbag inflation level is relatively low.
If both stages are deployed shortly after each other, the airbag's pressure from initial deployment has not yet been
dissipated, and the airbag becomes harder.
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