Airbag system 159
Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical Data
• When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important
to comply with the national legal requirements.
When are the airbags deployed?
The airbag system is designed in such a way that the driver and front passenger
airbag are deployed in the event of a violent frontal collision.
In the case of a violent side collision, the side airbag* on the side of the car at
which the collision occurs, is deployed together with the relevant head airbag*.
In special cases, the front as well as the relevant side and head airbags may be
deployed together.
The airbags are not deployed in the case of minor frontal and side collisions, in the
case of rear-end collisions and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors
It is not possible to state globally which deployment conditions apply to the airbag
system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of accidents
vary greatly. An important role in this case is played by factors such as the type of
object against which the vehicle impacts (hard, soft), the angle of impact, the rela-
tive speed during the accident etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which occurs
during a collision. The control unit analyses the nature of the collision and activates
the relevant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is meas-
ured during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified
in the control unit, the airbags are not deployed although the vehicle may well
suffer severe damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The airbags are not deployed if:
• ignition is switched off;
• a minor frontal collision;
• a minor side collision;
• a rear-end collision;
• Rollover of the vehicle.
Note
• A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is
perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
• In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed:
− the interior lighting comes on (if the switch for the interior light is in the door
contact position),
− the hazard warning light is switched on;
− all the doors are unlocked;
− the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
Front airbags
Description of the front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belt!
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 170 Driver airbag in the
steering wheel
s2ak.b.book Page 159 Monday, April 6, 2009 2:13 PM
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