1996 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual - Page 35

How does an air bag -restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, can even belted dccupants contact the steering wheelor the ar instrument panel. The i bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over 0ccupant"s upper body, the air stopping the occupmt more gradually. But bags would not help you in many types collisions, including of rollavers, reg impacts and side impacts, primarily because an occupant'smotion is not toward theair bag. Air bags should neverbe.regaded as mything morethan a supplement to safety belts, then only in moderate to and severe frontal .or neir-fiontd collisions. When an air bag inflates, there dust in the air. is This dust could cause breathing problems for or people with.a history of asthma other breathing trouble.To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as as itis safe to do so. soon If you have breathing problems but can't out get of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window OF door. . In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. fiom Additional windshield breakage may also occur the right front passenger air bag. 0 What will you see after an air bag inflates? After the air bagMates, it quickly deflates.This occurs SO quickly that some people may not even realize the a r i bag inflated. Some components the &i.r of bag modtdein i the steering wheel hub the driver's a r bag, or the for instrument panel the rightfront passenger's bag, will for be hot for a short time. Thepart of the bag that comes into contact with may be w m , but it will never be you and dust too hot to touch. There will be some smoke coming,fromvents in the deflated air bags. Air bag or fkom inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing being able to steer the vehicle, nor will people it stop from leaving the vehicLe.% The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they inflate, you'll need some new parts your air for bag system. If you don't get them, the bag system air won't be there to help protect you in another crash. air A new system will include bag. modules and possibly other parts. service manual for your The vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.