Airbag system136
Side airbags*
Description of side airbags
The side airbag increases protection of the passenger concerned in
the case of a side impact.
The side airbags are housed in the upholstery of the backrests of the front seats and are marked with the lettering “AIRBAG” ⇒page 136, fig. 141 on the middle part.
The side airbag system in combination with the three-point seat belts, offers addi-tional protection for the upper area of the body (chest, stomach and pelvis) in the event of severe side collisions ⇒ in “Important safety information on the side airbag” on page 137.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also hold the driver and front passenger in a correct seated position in the event of a side collision so as to enable the side airbags to offer the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒page 126, “Why seat belts?”.
Function of the side airbags
Risk of injury to the upper part of the body is reduced by fully inflated
side airbags.
In the case of a violent side crash, the side airbags in the front seat and the head airbags on the side of the car at which the collision occurs, are deployed ⇒fig. 142.
In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously deployed.
If an airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to be able to offer that addi-tional protection in the event of an accident.
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.
The load of the occupants is cushioned when plunging into the fully inflated airbag and the risk of injury to the entire upper body (chest, stomach and pelvis) is reduced on the side facing the door.
Fig. 141 Driver seat: Installa-tion position of airbag
Fig. 142 Side airbags deployed
NKO A05F 20.book Page 136 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM
Airbag system138
Head airbags*
Description of the head airbags
The head airbag together with the side airbag offers enhanced occu-
pant protection in the event of a side collision.
The head airbags are positioned above the doors on both sides in the interior of the car ⇒fig. 143. The installation positions of the head airbags are each marked with the “AIRBAG” logo.
The head airbag together with the three-point seat belts and the side airbags, offers additional protection for the head and neck area of the occupants in the event of a side collision of major severity ⇒ in “Important safety information on the head airbag” on page 139.
Apart from their normal protective function, a further task of the seat belts is to also hold the driver and the occupants in a correct seated position in the event of a side collision so as to enable the head airbags to offer the maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten the seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety reasons and for your own protection ⇒page 126.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the doors, stable vehicle struc-ture) the head airbags are the consequent further development of occupant protection in the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in the event of
a side collision by fully inflated head airbags.
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with the rele-vant side airbag on the side of the car on which the accident occurs ⇒fig. 144.
If the system is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and covers the entire area of the side window including the door pillars ⇒fig. 144.
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultaneously both to the front occupants of the car seated on the side on which the accident occurs, as well as to the rear occupants. Any impact of the head against par ts of the interior or objects outside of the car, is cushioned by the inflated head airbag. The reduction in any impact to the head and the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head additionally reduce the risk of injuries to the neck area. In certain accident situations, the front, side and head airbag are simultaneously deployed.
Fig. 143 Installation position of the head airbags
Fig. 144 Inflated head airbag
NKO A05F 20.book Page 138 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 1:02 PM
