Air Bag System
The "Air Bag" in combination with the safety
belt makes up a passive safety system which
offers the driver and front seat passenger the
greatest known protection from injuries in
case of accident.
The air bag system is composed of the
following 3 major groups:
Air bag with gas generator and ignition unit Control electronics Collision sensors
In case of frontal collision greater than a
certain severity, the collision sensors send a
signal via the control electronics to the igni- tion mechanism. In the ignition process, a
solid propellant in the gas generator is
combusted in a fraction of a second. This
combustion generates the gas quantity and
pressure necessary to fill the air bag.
The air bag is located behind the steering
wheel center pad on the driver's side, and on the passenger side behind the padding above
the glove compartment. Due to the rapid
deflation of the air bag after use, there is little
danger of obstructed vision. Likewise, the
noise of the inflation of the air bag generally
goes unnoticed because of the collision noise. The air bag protects the face and upper body,
and at the same time dampens the forward
motion of the driver and passenger.
Range of Effectiveness Even if your vehicle is equipped with an air bag, the safety belt must be worn, since the air bag system is only actuated by frontal collisions and at speeds of more than 13 to 19 mph (depending on collision angle). See
figure for range of effectiveness.
Below the actuation threshold of the air bag
system, and during types of collisions which
do not cause the actuation of the system, the
seat belts provide the primary protection to the occupants when correctly worn. Therefore, all persons within the vehicle should always
wear safety belts (in many states, state law
requires the use of safety belts). See also the
chapter "Safety Belts".
20
Maintenance / Monitor Lights
The air bag system monitors the operational
readiness of the igniter, sensors, warning
lamp, and control electronics itself.
Any malfunctions which may arise are announced by the monitor lights in the right
instrument cluster. Upon activation of the
vehicle ignition circuit, the "Air Bag" notation in
the instrument cluster lights up for
approximately 5 seconds and then goes out
again, indicating system readiness.
In the following cases you should immediately
consult an authorized Porsche dealer in order
to assure the air bag system is functioning
properly:
Illumination of the "Air Bag" light during travel
or repeated illumination longer than 5
seconds after the ignition circuit is turned on.
Illumination fails to light up during ignition
circuit activation.
In order to ensure long-
term functioning, the air bag system must be inspected by an
authorized Porsche dealer after 4, 8 and 10
years from the date of manufacture shown on
the safety compliance sticker, and then every 2 years.
WARNING
No changes must be made to the wiring or components of the air bag system. Do not
add any additional coverings or stickers to the steering wheel or in the area of the
passenger side air bag. Doing so may
adversely affect the functioning of the air
bag system.
Do not undertake any wiring for electrical accessory equipment in the vicinity of the air bag wiring harness. Doing so may
disable the air bag system.
The actuation of the air bag requires the immediate inspection of the system and
replacement of some parts of the system.
See your authorized Porsche dealer.
Defects should be repaired immediately. See your authorized Porsche dealer. When disposing of a used air bag unit, our safety instructions must be followed. These instructions can be obtained at any authorized Porsche dealer.
Important:
If you sell your Porsche, notify the
purchaser that the vehicle is equipped
with an air bag, and refer him or her to the
chapter, "Air Bag System", in the owner's
manual (safety and disposal rules).
Further information on the air bag system can
be found on stickers in the glove
compartment, at the interior light, as well as
on all air bag components.
Horn Button
In vehicles equipped with an AIR BAG, the
horn buttons are mounted in the two upper
spokes of the steering wheel (arrow).
21
