1993 Cadillac Eldorado Owner's Manual - Page 44

GM vehicles is between 9 and 14 mph. However, this velocity threshold depends on thevehicle design and may be several miles-per-hour faster or slower. In addition, this threshold velocity will be considerably higherif the vehicle strikes an object such as a parked car which will move and deform on impact. The air bag is also not designedto inflate in rollovers, side impacts,or rearimpacts where the inflation would provide no occupant protection benefit. In any particular crash, the determination whether the air bag should of have inflated cannot be based solely on the level of damage on the vehicle(s). Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle's deceleration, of which vehicle damage is only one indication. of Repair costis not a good indicator whether an air bag should have deployed. What makes an air bag inflate? In a frontal or near-frontal impact sufficient severity, sensors of strategically locatedon the vehicle detect that thevehicle is suddenly of an stopping as a result a crash. These sensors complete electrical in circuit, triggering a chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas,which inflates a cloth bag. The inflator, cloth bag, and related hardware are part of the air bag all inflator modules packed inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the passenger if there is a passenger air bag. How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal near-frontal collisions, even belted or occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. The bag supplements the protection provided safety belts. Airbags by distribute the forceof the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. air bags would not But provide protectionin many types of collisions, including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded anything more as than a supplement to safety belt protection in moderate tosevere frontal and near-frontalcollisions. What will you see after an air bag inflation? After the airbag has inflated, it will then quickly deflate. This occurs so quickly that some people may not even realize thatthe air bag inflated. The air bag will not impede thedriver's vision or ability to steer the 30