Airbag system
147
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
When are the airbags deployed?The airbag system is designed in such a wa
y that the driver and front passenger airbag
are deployed in the event of a
violent frontal collision
.
In the case of a
violent side collision
, the side airbag* on the side of the vehicle at
which the collision occurs, is deployed to
gether with the relevant head airbag*.
In special cases, the front as well as th
e relevant side and head airbags may be
deployed together. The airbags
are not deployed
in the case of
minor
frontal and side collisions, in the
case of rear-end collisi
ons and vehicle rollover.
Deployment factors It is not possible to state globally which
deployment conditions apply to the airbag
system in every situation as the circumstances which exist in the case of accidents vary greatly. An important role in
this case is pl
ayed by factors such as the type of object
against which the vehicle impacts (hard, soft
), the angle of impact, the relative speed
during the accident etc. A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which occurs during a collision. The control unit analyses
the nature of the collision and activates the
relevant restraint system. If the vehicle deceleration which occurs and is measured during the collision remains below the prescribed reference values specified in the control unit, the airbags are no
t deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe
damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident. The airbags are not deployed if:•
ignition is switched off;
•
a minor frontal collision;
•
a minor side collision;
•
a rear-end collision;
•
rollover of the vehicle.Note
•
A grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is perfectly
normal and is not an indicati
on of a fire in the vehicle.
•
In the event of an accident in which the airbags are deployed: − the interior lighting comes on (if the swit
ch for the interior light is in the door
contact position); − the hazard warning li
ght is switched on;
− all the doors are unlocked; − the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
Front airbagsDescription of the front airbags The airbag system is not a su
bstitute for the seat belt!
Fig. 137 Driver airbag in th
e steering wheel / front passenger airbag in the dash panel
The front airbag for the driver is housed in the steering wheel
⇒fig. 137
on the left. The
front airbag for the front passenger is housed in the dash panel above the storage compartment
⇒fig. 137
on the right. The installation positions are each marked with
the “AIRBAG” logo. The front airbag system, in combination with
three-point safety belts, offers additional
protection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger in the event of a frontal collision of major severity
⇒page 148.
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat
belt, but is part of the complete passive
vehicle safety concept.
Please note that an airbag can only offer you optimal
protection in combination with a seat belt which is fastened
.
sgg.6.book Page 147 Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:32 PM
