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40
COMFORT
AND
SAFETY:
Front
airbags*
Driver's airbag
The
airbag
system
has
been designed
to
maximise
the
safety
of
the
driver in
the
event
of frontal
collisions. It
does
not
eliminate
the
need
to wear a
seat belt.
The airbag is
only
deployed
when
necessary
in'
the
event
of
violent
impacts
from
which
a
seat
belt
alone
would not offer sufficient
protection.
The
purpose
of
the
airbag
is to come
between
the
driver
and the
steering wheel to
limit
the forward projection
of
the
body and
so lower the risk of injury to the head and
chest.
In
the
event
of
a
frontal collision
the electronic
impact
detector
for
the
airbag
and for
the
pre-
tensioning
seat belts records
the
sudden
deceleration
of the
car at the moment
of col-
lision.
When
the pre-tensioning
seat
belt
detonation
threshold
is reached the
detector sends
an
impulse to the
front
seat
belt
retractors.
If
the
seriousness
of the
impact
warrants
it, a
second
input
is
sent
to the
airbag
module
in
the centre
of
the
steering
wheel.
The airbag system is triggered
•
In
the
event
of
a
frontal
collision,
depending
on the
deceleration.
This depends on the
exact
nature
of
the collision
(speed
of
impact,
type
of
obstacle).
The
airbag,
folded
in the central
part of
the steering
wheel,
is freed and inflates
instantaneously.
In a
fraction
of a
second
the airbag
fills the space
between
the
steer-
ing
wheel
and
the driver, thus
preventing
the
head
and
the
chest
from
being
thrown
forward.
Immediately
after
the
impact,
the gas
con-
tained
in
the
airbag
escapes
through
an
opening
at
the
back
of
the
cushion. It does
not therefore
impede the visibility
of the
driver
nor their
possible
exit
from
the
vehicle.
Passenger airbag
This operates simultaneously
with
the
driver's
airbag
and
according
to the
same
principle.
IMPORTANT
If
a
passenger airbag
is
fitted,
never place
a
rearwards
facing child
seat on
the
front
pas-
senger seat
and do
not
place
your
feet
or
any
object
on
the fascia
cover.
Note:
The gas escaping
from
the
airbag
may be a
mild irritant.
The airbag system is not triggered
• In
the case
of
a side
or
rear
impact:
it
has
been designed to
provide protection
against
frontal collisions
only.
• In
the
event
of
a
minor or
moderate
frontal
collision,
the
seat belt
is
sufficient
to provide
optimum
safety.
To ensure optimum operation
•
A seat belt must be
worn.
In event of
a
collision in
which a
seat
belt
is not
worn,
the
occupant
will
be
projected
forwards
from
the
moment of
impact which
will
not
leave
enough room
for the
airbag
to be
deployed
correctly.
•
Keep the original
steering
wheel:
any
other steering wheel
might
cause the
airbag
system
to operate
at
the wrong time
or
reduce the
effectiveness
of the
system.
• Never pierce the steering
wheel airbag
or
subject it
to violent
blows.
Do not remove
the
steering
wheel.
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