Airbag system
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Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The
airbag system is not a substitute for the seat
belts.
Fig.
232 Side airbags: Location in driver's seat (example)
The side airbags are located in the backrest
pad
ding of the front seats.
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts,
the side airbags give the occupants additional
protection for the whole upper part of the body
(i.e.
the chest, stomach and pelvis) in the event
of
a
severe side collision
•=> A
in Important safety
notes on the side airbag system on page 285.
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk
of injury to the areas of the body facing the im
pact.
How the side airbags work
When fully inflated, the side airbags reduce the
risk of injuries to the upper part of the
body.
Fig.
233 Side airbags in inflated condition
In certain types of side collision, the side airbag
(front) is triggered on the impact side of the
vehi
cle
^Fig.
233. Further airbag systems may also
be triggered, depending on the circumstances.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled
with propellant gas.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in
an accident, the airbags have to inflate extremely
rapidly (within fractions of
a
second).
The fully deployed airbags cushion the impact for
the occupants and help to reduce the risk of in
jury to the upper part of the body on the side fac
ing the door.
Important safety notes on the side airbag
system
There
are a number of safety points concerning
the airbag system which you should remember.
This will help to reduce the risk of injury in an ac
cident.
WARNING
-If
you
do
not
wear
a
seat belt, if
you
Lean
forward,
or are not seated correctly while
the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater
risk of injury should the side airbags be
trig
gered in an accident. This applies particular
ly to children if they are not properly protec
ted by
a
child restraint system.
- If children are not seated correctly, they are
at greater risk of injury should the airbag
system be triggered in an accident. This is
particularly the case if the child is travelling
on the front passenger's seat and the airbag
system is triggered in an accident. This
could result in serious or potentially fatal in
jury
^>page
267, Child seats.
- It is important not to attach any accessories
(such as cup holders) to the doors. This
would impair the protection offered by the
front side airbags.
- The sensors for the airbags are located in
the front doors. You must therefore not
make any modifications to the doors or door
trim (e.g. retrofitting loudspeakers),
as
this
could impair the function of the side air-
bags.
Any damage to the front doors could
285
Airbag system
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The head-protection airbag system is triggered in
certain types of side collision
^>Fig.
235. Further
airbag systems may also be triggered, depending
on the circumstances.
When the system is triggered, the airbag fills
with a propellant gas and covers the entire area
in front of the side windows, including the door
pillars. The head-protection airbag inflates to
soften the impact if an occupant strikes parts of
the interior or objects outside the vehicLe with
their head. By reducing the head impact and re
straining uncontrolled movement of the head,
the airbag also reduces the forces acting on the
neck.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in
an accident, the airbags have to inflate extremely
rapidly (within fractions of
a
second).
Important safety notes on the head-
protection airbags
There
are a number of safety points concerning
the airbag system which you should remember.
This will help to reduce the risk of injury in an ac
cident.
A WARNING
- It is important to ensure that the area
around the openings for the head-protec
tion airbags remains unobstructed at all
times,
so that the airbags can infLate prop
erly if needed.
- The built-in coat hooks should only be used
for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any
heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
When using the coat hooks, do not hang the
clothes on coat hangers.
- The space between the passengers and the
head-protection airbags must never be oc
cupied by children, other passengers or
pets.
Passengers should never lean out or
put
a
hand
or
arm out of the window while
the vehicle is in motion.
- Do not move the sun visors out to cover the
side windows if there is anything attached
to them (such as pens or
a
garage door
opener). These objects could cause injury if
the head-protection airbag is triggered.
The sensors for the airbags are Located in
the front doors. You must therefore not
make any modifications to the doors or door
trim (e.g. retrofitting loudspeakers),
as
this
could impair the function of the side air-
bags.
Any damage to the front doors could
Lead to faults in the system. Repairs or any
other work on the front doors must there
fore always be carried out by
a
qualified
workshop.
Sun blinds fitted on the rear doors must not
obstruct or impair the airbags in any way.
If unsuitable accessories are installed near
the head-protection airbag, the protection
afforded by the airbag can be seriously im
paired if the system is triggered. When the
head-protection airbag opens, parts of
these accessories could be thrown into the
vehicle and injure passengers
^>page
340.
Any work involving the head-protection air-
bags,
or removal and installation of the air-
bag components for other repairs (such as
repairs to the roof liner), must always be
performed by
a
qualified workshop. Other
wise the airbag system may fail to work
properly.
287
