System descriptionRead and observe
on page 14 first.
The inflation of the airbag is carried out in a fraction of a second.
When the airbags are deployed, they fill with gas and inflate.
A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated.
This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the airbag system consists of the
following parts. ▶ Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger » page 15.
▶ Side airbags Head-thorax » page 17.
▶ Airbag warning light in the instrument cluster » page 37,
Airbag system
.
▶ Key switch for the front passenger airbag » page 18.
▶ Warning light for the front passenger airbag in the middle of the dash panel
» page 18 .
Airbag deployment
Read and observe
on page 14 first.
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
Triggering conditions
It is not possible to generally determine which deployment conditions apply to
the airbag system in every situation. An important role is played by factors
such as the type of object that the vehicle hits (hard/soft), the impact angle, vehicle speed etc.
A decisive factor for the deployment of the airbags is the deceleration which
occurs. 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 not deployed although the vehicle may well suffer severe
damage to the bodywork as a consequence of the accident.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe frontal
collision.
▶ Driver’s front airbag.
▶ Front passenger airbag.
The following airbags will be deployed in the event of a severe side collision. ▶ Head-Thorax side airbag on the crash side.
When an airbag is deployed, the following events occur.
▶ The interior light comes on (if the automatic operation of the interior light is
switched on - switch
).
▶ The hazard warning lights are switched on.
▶ All doors are unlocked.
▶ The fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
When there is no air bag deployment?
With minor frontal and side collisions, rear collision, overturning of the vehicle
or vehicle roll-over there is no airbag deployment.
Airbag overview
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front airbags
15
Side airbags Head-Thorax
17
Front airbags
Fig. 7
Driver airbag in the steering wheel/front passenger airbag in the
dashboard
15Airbag system
Fig. 8
Safe distance to steering wheel
In the event of a severe frontal collision, the front airbags offer additional pro-
tection for the head and chest area of the driver and front passenger.
The driver's front airbag is located in the steering wheel, the front passenger airbag is located in the instrument panel above the glove compartment » Fig. 7
- .
The airbags inflate in front of the driver and front passenger when they are
deployed » Fig. 8 -
. The forward movement of the driver and of the front
passenger is cushioned when they make contact with the fully inflated airbag
and the risk of injury to head and chest is thus reduced.
WARNINGInformation on correct seated position■For the driver and front passenger, it is important to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm to the steering wheel or dashboard A
» Fig. 8 . Not main-
taining this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be
able to properly protect you – hazard! The front seats must always also be
correctly adjusted to match the body size of the occupant.
■
The airbag develops enormous forces when triggered, which can lead to
injuries if the sitting position or seated position is not correct.
■
There must not by any further persons, animals or objects positioned be-
tween the front seated occupants and the deployment area of the airbag.
WARNINGFront airbag and transporting children■Never transport children on the front seat of a vehicle without using a
proper restraint system. If airbags are deployed in the event of an accident,
the child might suffer severe or even fatal injuries!■
The front passenger airbag must be deactivated if using a rear-facing
child seat on the front passenger seat » page 18, Deactivating the front
passenger airbag . If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering se-
vere or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag is deployed.
WARNINGGeneral information■The steering wheel and the surface of the airbag module in the dash pan-
el on the passenger side must not have stickers attached, be covered or
modified in any other way. These parts should only be cleaned with a cloth
that is dry or has been moistened with water. No objects (such as cup hold-
ers, mobile phone mounts, etc.) are to be attached to the covers of the air-
bag modules or be located within their immediate vicinity.■
Never place objects on the surface of the front passenger airbag module
in the dash panel.
Note
■ In vehicles with driver's airbag, the text can be found on the steering
wheel.■
In vehicles with front passenger airbag, the text
is located on the dash
panel on the passenger side.
16Safety
