132
AIRBAGS
Deployment of the airbag(s) is
accompanied by a slight emis-
sion of harmless smoke and
a noise, due to the activation of the
pyrotechnic cartridge incorporated in
the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sensi-
tive individuals may experience slight
irritation.
The noise of the detonation may re-
sult in a slight loss of hearing for a
short time.
Front airbags
System which protects the driver and
front passenger in the event of a seri-
ous front impact in order to limit the risk
of injury to the head and chest.
T h e d r i v e r ’ s a i r b a g i s fi t t e d i n t h e c e n t r e
of the steering wheel; the front passen-
g e r ’ s a i r b a g i s fi t t e d i n t h e d a s h b o a r d
above the glove box.
Deployment
The airbags are deployed simultane-
ously, unless the passenger’s front
airbag is deactivated, in the event of a
serious front impact 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 t h e f r o n t
occupant of the vehicle and the dash-
board to cushion his forward movement.
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
The airbags do not oper-
ate when the ignition is
switched off.
This equipment will only deploy once.
If a second impact occurs (during the
same or a subsequent accident), the
airbag will not be deployed again.
System designed to maximise the safety
of the occupants (with the exception of
the rear centre passenger) in the event
of violent collisions. It supplements the
action of the force-limiting seat belts
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger).
If a collision occurs, the electronic de-
tectors record and analyse the front and
side impacts sustained in the impact
detection zones:
- in the case of a serious impact, the
airbags are deployed instantly and
protect the occupants of the vehicle
(with the exception of the rear centre
passenger); 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 visibility
or the exit of the occupants,
- in the case of a minor or rear impact or in certain roll-over conditions, the
airbags will not be deployed; the
s e a t b e l t a l o n e i s s u f fi c i e n t t o p r o -
vide optimum protection in these
situations.