Airbag system168
Front airbags
Description of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the padded hub of the
steering wheel ⇒ page 168, fig. 176. The front airbag for the front
passenger is in the dashboard above the glove box ⇒ fig. 177. The
locations of the airbags are marked with the word “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts, the front airbags give
additional head and chest protection for the driver and front
passenger in the event of a severe frontal collision ⇒ in “Impor-
tant safety notes on the front airbag system” on page 169.
How the front airbags work
When fully inflated, the airbags reduce the risk of head or
chest injury.
The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and
front passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident the front airbags, side airbags and one
of the head-protection airbags may be triggered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas
and open out in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ fig. 178.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the
airbags have to inflate extremely rapidly (within fractions of a
second). The fully deployed airbags cushion the forwards move-
ment of the front occupants and help to reduce the risk of injury to
the head and the upper part of the body.
Special openings in the airbag allow the gas to escape at a
controlled rate to restrain the forward movement of the occupant's
head and torso. Once the impact has been absorbed, the airbag
deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see forward.
Fig. 176 Driver's
airbag in steering
wheel
Fig. 177 Front
passenger's airbag in
dashboard
Fig. 178 Front airbags
in inflated condition
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 168 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17
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