1997 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual - Page 36

How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel.Air bags supplement the protection When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air. provided by safety belts.Air bags distribute the force of This dust could cause breathing problems for the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, people with a history of asthma or other ar i stopping the occupant more gradually. But bags would breathing trouble.To avoid this, everyone in the not help youin many types of collisions, including as so. rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because vehicle should get out soon as it is safe to do If you have breathing problems but can't get out is i an occupant's motion not toward thoseair bags. A r of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get bags should never be regarded asg an more than a fresh air by opening a window or door. supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions. What will you see after an air bag inflates? In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates,so quickly Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the that some people may even realizethe air bag not right front passenger air bag. the inflated. Some components the air bag module in of for steering wheel hub the driver's air bag, or the 0 Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they instrument panelfor the right front passenger's bag, will inflate, you'll need some new parts your air bag for be hotfor a shorttime. The parts of the bag that come system. If you don't get them, the air bag system warm, but nottoo hot to into contact with you may be won't be there to help protect you in another crash. touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from A new system will include air bag modules and vents inthe deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't possibly other parts. The service manual for your prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. 1-25