Page 49 of 399

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result
of
a crash. The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction of the sodium
azide sealed in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which
inflates a cloth bag. The inflator, cloth bag, and related hardware are all
part
of the air bag inflator modules packed inside the steering wheel and
in the instrument panel in front
of the passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collieions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. The air
bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags
distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not
provide protection in many types of collisions, including rollovers and
rear and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belt protection in moderate to severe frontal
and near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then quickly deflate. This occurs so
quickly that some people may not even realize that the air bag inflated.
Some components of the air bag module in the steering wheel hub for the
driver’s air bag or the instrument panel for the passenger’s bag may be
hot for a short time, but the portion of the bag that comes into contact
with you will not be hot
to the touch. There will be small amounts of
smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bags. The air bag
will
not impede the driver’s vision or ability to steer the vehicle, nor will it
hinder the occupants from exiting the vehicle.
36
Page 50 of 399

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may
occur in vehicles with passenger air bags because the windshield acts as a
reaction surface for the inflating air bag.
0
0
0
The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they inflate, you’ll
need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air
bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new
system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual has information about the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module, which records
information about the air bag system if the air bag deploys in a crash.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system,
which sensors activated the deployment, and whether the driver’s
safety belt was in use.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag system. Improper
service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See
your dealer for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the right-front
passenger’s air bag, they may not work properly.
You may have
to replace the air bag on the steering wheel or both the air bag
and the instrument panel for the passenger‘s air bag.
Do not
open or break the air bag covers.
37
Page 51 of 399

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Is the smoke from an air bag inflation harmful?
The particles emitted during air bag inflation are not harmful to most
people. Some people with respiratory ailments may experience difficulty
breathing
if they stay in the vehicle with the windows closed after air bag
inflation.
So, if your air bag inflates, you and any passengers should exit
the vehicle
if and when it is safe to do so. If you or your passengers can’t
get out of the vehicle, try to get fresh air by opening a window, turning on
the fan, or opening a door.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Cadillac
Air bags affect how your Cadillac should be serviced. There are parts of
the air bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want
the system to inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Cadillac dealer and the
1994 Seville Service Manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.
Page 52 of 399
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SAFETYBELT USE DURIING PREGNANCY
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured
if they don’t wear
safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion
should be worn as low as possible throughout the pregnancy.
The best way
to
protect the fetus is to
protect the mother.
When a safety belt is
worn properly, it’s more likely that the
fetus won’t be hurt in
a crash. For pregnant
women, as for
anyone, the key to
making safety belts
effective is wearing
them properly.
.ER POSITION
The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s
safety belt. See “Driver Position,” earlier in this part.
When the lap portion of the belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock.
If it
does, let it
go back all the way and start again.
39
Page 53 of 399
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine REAR SEAT PASSENGERS
It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident
statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers
who aren't safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing
safety belts.
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here's how to
wear one properly.
I 1.
2.
Pick up the latch
plate and pull the
belt across you.
Don't let it get
twisted.
Push the latch
plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
40
Page 54 of 399
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the belt stops
before it reaches
the buckle, tilt the
latch plate and
keep pulling until
you can buckle it.
Pull up on the
latch plate to
make sure it is
secure.
If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end
of
this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever
had to.
3. To make the lap
part tight, pull
down on the
buckle end of the
belt as you pull up
on the shoulder
part.
41
Page 55 of 399
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic
bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid
under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or
even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the
shoulder and across the chest. These parts
of the body are best able to
take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash.
42
Page 56 of 399
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine a To unlatch the
belt, just push
button on the
buckle.
CENTER PASSENGER POSITION
the
43