2008 SATURN ASTRA airbag
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When Should an Airbag
In ate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
in ate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver’s or right
front passenger’s head and chest.
However, they are only designed
to in ate if the impact exceeds
a predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe a
crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to in ate and help restrain
the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will
or should deploy is not based on
how fast your vehicle is traveling.
It depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact, and how
quickly your vehicle slows down.Frontal airbags may in ate at
different crash speeds. For example:If the vehicle hits a stationary
object, the airbags could in ate at
a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that
deforms, the airbags could in ate
at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits an object that
does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object
(like a pole), the airbags could
in ate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide
object (like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object
at an angle, the airbags could
in ate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight
into the object.
Thresholds can also vary with
speci c vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
in ate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.In addition, the vehicle has
dual-stage frontal airbags.
Dual-stage airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing
system distinguish between a
moderate frontal impact and a
more severe frontal impact. For
moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage
airbags in ate at a level less than full
deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs.
The vehicle has seat-mounted
side impact and roof-rail airbags.
SeeAirbag System on page 1-23.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags are intended to
in ate in moderate to severe side
crashes. Seat-mounted side impact
and roof-rail airbags will in ate if
the crash severity is above the
system’s designed threshold level.
The threshold level can vary with
speci c vehicle design.
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Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags are not intended to
in ate in frontal impacts, near-frontal
impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag is intended to deploy on
the side of the vehicle that is struck.
A roof-rail airbag is intended to
deploy on the side of the vehicle
that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one
can say whether an airbag should
have in ated simply because of
the damage to a vehicle or because
of what the repair costs were.
For frontal airbags, in ation is
determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
For seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags, deployment is
determined by the location and
severity of the side impact.What Makes an Airbag
In ate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
in ator. Gas from the in ator lls the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover and deploy. The in ator,
the airbag, and related hardware are
all part of the airbag module.
Frontal airbag modules are located
inside the steering wheel and
instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
there are airbag modules in the side
of the front seatbacks closest to the
door. For vehicles with roof-rail
airbags, there are airbag modules in
the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant
seating positions.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Frontal
airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily because
the occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. SeeWhen Should
an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-27
for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
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What Will You See After
an Airbag In ates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
in ate, they quickly de ate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag in ated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially in ated for some time after
they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbag modules, seeWhat Makes
an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-28.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the de ated
airbags. Airbag in ation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out
of the windshield or being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION
When an airbag in ates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone
in the vehicle should get out as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle
after an airbag in ates, then get
fresh air by opening a window
or a door. If you experience
breathing problems following an
airbag deployment, you should
seek medical attention.
In many crashes severe enough
to in ate the airbag, windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage
may also occur from the right
front passenger airbag.Airbags are designed to in ate
only once. After an airbag in ates,
you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not
get them, the airbag system will
not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system
will include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers
the need to replace other parts.
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and
Privacy on page 11-15andEvent
Data Recorders on page 11-16.
Let only quali ed technicians work
on the airbag systems. Improper
service can mean that an airbag
system will not work properly.
See your dealer/retailer for
service.
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Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible
in the rearview mirror when you start
the vehicle.
The words ON and OFF, or the
symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the
word ON or the word OFF, or the
symbol for on or the symbol for off,
will be visible. SeePassenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 4-15.
The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver’s airbags
are not part of the passenger
sensing system.The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part
of the right front passenger’s seat.
The sensors are designed to detect
the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
should be enabled (may in ate)
or not.
Accident statistics show that
children are safer if they are
restrained in the rear rather than
the front seat.
We recommend that children be
secured in a rear seat, including: an
infant or a child riding in a rear-facing
child restraint; a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat; an older
child riding in a booster seat; and
children, who are large enough,
using safety belts. United States
Canada
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A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag in ates.
This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the
in ating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint
can be seriously injured or
killed if the right front passenger
airbag in ates and the
passenger seat is in a forward
position.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped), no system
is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will
not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though the
airbag(s) are off.
Secure rear-facing child
restraints in a rear seat, even
if the airbag(s) are off. If you
secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front
seat, always move the front
passenger seat as far back as
it will go. It is better to secure
the child restraint in a rear seat.The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag if:
The right front passenger seat is
unoccupied.
The system determines that an
infant is present in a rear-facing
infant seat.
The system determines that a
small child is present in a child
restraint.
The system determines that
a small child is present in a
booster seat.
A right front passenger takes
his/her weight off of the seat for
a period of time.
The right front passenger seat is
occupied by a smaller person,
such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints.
Or, if there is a critical problem
with the airbag system or the
passenger sensing system.
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When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag,
the off indicator will light and stay lit
to remind you that the airbags are
off. SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-15.
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit, turn
the vehicle off. Remove the child
restraint from the vehicle and
reinstall the child restraint following
the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions and refer toSecuring
Child Restraints (Rear Seat) on
page 1-50orSecuring Child
Restraints (Right Front Seat)
on page 1-53.If, after reinstalling the child restraint
and restarting the vehicle, the on
indicator is still lit, check to make
sure that the vehicle’s seatback is
not pressing the child restraint into
the seat cushion. If this happens,
slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback
and adjust the seat cushion if
possible. Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under
the vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head restraint.
SeeHead Restraints on page 1-5.
Remove any additional material from
the seat such as blankets, cushions,
seat covers, seat heaters, or seat
massagers before reinstalling or
securing the child restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure
the child in the child restraint in
a rear seat position in the vehicle,
and check with your dealer/retailer.The passenger sensing system is
designed to enable (may in ate)
the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag anytime the system senses
that a person of adult size is sitting
properly in the right front passenger’s
seat. When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbags to
be enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the
airbags are active.
For some children who have
outgrown child restraints and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn
off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag, depending upon the person’s
seating posture and body build.
Everyone in the vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear
a safety belt properly —whether or
not there is an airbag for that person.
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If a person of adult-size is sitting
in the right front passenger’s seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat. If this happens,
turn the vehicle off, remove any
additional material from the seat,
such as blankets, cushions, seat
covers, seat heaters or seat
massagers and ask the person
to place the seatback in the fully
upright position, then sit upright
in the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with the person’s legs
comfortably extended. Restart the
vehicle and have the person remain
in this position for two to three
minutes. This will allow the system
to detect that person and then enable
the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag.Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers
and braking, which helps the
passenger sensing system maintain
the passenger airbag status.
See “Safety Belts” and “Child
Restraints” in the Index for
additional information about
the importance of proper
restraint use.{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light in
the instrument panel cluster
ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be
wrong with the airbag system.
If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have
the protection of the airbag(s).
SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 4-14for more on this,
including important safety
information.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion, or
aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates.
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We recommend that you not use
seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment other than any that GM
has approved for your speci c
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-35for more information about
modi cations that can affect how the
system operates.
The passenger sensing system may
suppress the airbag deployment
when liquid soaks into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator
in the passenger airbag status
indicator and the airbag readiness
light on the instrument panel will
be lit. The system should resume
normal operation after the seat is
allowed to dry. If the system operates
incorrectly after the seat has dried,
have your dealer/retailer check the
system.{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle
should be serviced. There are
parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 11-14.
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still in ate during
improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an
airbag when it in ates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures,
and make sure the person
performing work for you is
quali ed to do so.
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