1995 Buick Century Owner's Manual - Page 33

How the Air Bag System Works When should an air bag inflate? The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. The airbag will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system's designed "threshold level." If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The air bag is not designed to inflatein rollovers, side impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation would not help theoccupant. Where is the air bag? The driver's air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. 1-21