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SAFETY
AIR BAGS
The air bags have been designed to
maximise the safety of the occupants in
the event of violent collisions. They sup-
plement the action of the force-limiting
seat belts.
In this case, the electronic detectors
record and analyse the front and side
impacts suffered in the impact detection
zones:
- in the event of a serious impact, the air bags are deployed instantane-
ously and protect the occupants of
the vehicle; immediately after the
i m p a c t , t h e a i r b a g s d e fl a t e r a p i d l y
so that they do not hinder the visibility
of the occupants or their possible
exit from the vehicle,
- in the event of a minor impact or rear impact and in certain roll-over
conditions, the air bags will not be
d e p l o y e d ; t h e s e a t b e l t a l o n e i s s u f fi -
cient to provide maximum protection
in these situations.
The deployment of one or more air
bags is accompanied by a slight
discharge of harmless smoke and
a noise, due to the activation of the
pyrotechnic cartridge incorporated
in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sen-
sitive individuals may experience
some irritation.
The noise of the detonation may
result in a slight loss of hearing for
a short time. Front air bags
System which protects the driver and
front passenger in the event of a serious
front impact in order to limit the risk of
i n j u r y t o t h e h e a d a n d c h e s t .
The driver's air bag is incorporated in the
centre of the steering wheel; the front
passenger's air bag is incorporated in
the fascia above the glove box.
Activation
The air bags are triggered simultane-
ously, unless the passenger's front air
bag is disarmed, in the event of a serious
front impact applied to all or part of the
front impact zone
A , in the longitudinal
centreline of the vehicle on a horizontal
plane and directed from the front to the
rear of the vehicle.
T h e f r o n t a i r b a g i n fl a t e s b e t w e e n
the front occupant of the vehicle and
the fascia to cushion his forward
movement.
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
The air bags do not operate when
the ignition is off.
This equipment only operates
once. If a second impact occurs
(during the same or a subsequent
accident), the air bag will not
operate.