The triggering process must take place in
good time at the start of the collision.
i
Not all airbags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different airbag systems work
independently of each other.
How the airbag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the accident detec-
ted, especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, and the apparent type of acci-
dent:
R
head-on collision
R
side impact
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are essen-
tially determined by:
R
the distribution of forces during the colli-
sion
R
the collision angle
R
the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
cle
R
the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of airbag
deployment.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e.g. the bonnet or the wing, without an airbag
being deployed. This is the case if only parts
which are relatively easily deformed are affec-
ted and the deployment threshold is not
reached. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformation.This is the case if, for
example, very rigid vehicle parts such as lon-
gitudinal body members are hit, and sufficient
deceleration occurs as a result.
Airbags
Important safety notes
Airbag deployment slows down and restricts
the movement of the vehicle occupant.
When the airbags are deployed, you will hear
a bang and a small amount of powder may
also be released. Only in rare cases will the
bang affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The + SRS warning lamp
lights up.
The airbag installation locations are identified
by the AIRBAG symbol.
G
Risk of injury
Airbags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
Observe the following notes to reduce the risk
of serious or even fatal injury caused by airbag
deployment:
R
All vehicle occupants –inparticular, preg-
nant women – must wear their seat belt
correctly at all times and lean back against
the backrest, which should be positioned
as close to the vertical as possible. The
head restraint must support the back of the
head at about eye level.
R
Always secure childrenless than 1.50mtall
and under12years of age in suitable child
restraint systems.
R
All vehicle occupants must select a seat
position that is as far away from the airbag
as possible. The driver's seat position must
allow the vehicle to be driven safely. The
driver's chest should be as far away from
the centre of the driver's airbag cover as
possible.
R
Move the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible. This is especially important if
you have secured a child in a child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat.
R
Vehicle occupants –inparticular, children
–must notlean their heads into the area of
the window in which a sidebag or head/
thorax sidebag is deployed.
34
Occupant safety
Safety
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