1995 Cadillac DeVille Owner's Manual - Page 45

What makes an air bag inflate? In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity. the air bag sensing system detects that thevehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash. The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which intlates the air bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are a l l part o f the air bag modules packed inside the steering wheel and i n the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger. How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontalor near-frontal collisions: even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel.The air bag supplements the protectionprovided by safcty belts. Air bags distribute the forceo f the Impact more cvcnly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupani. more gradually. But air bags would not help you in. many types of collisions. including rotlovers and rear and side impacts. primarily beca.use an. occupant's 1not.iorris not toward the air bagAir bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement: t o c. sa.t.'ety belts. and, then ody ill nloderate 1.0 w r t lronta! or nt';lr-trot?tal w collisions.