1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 34

What makesan airbag inflate? In an impactof sufficient severity,the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is a crash.The sensing in system triggers a release gas from the inflator, which of inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and the instrument panel in in front of the right front passenger. What will you see after airbag inflates? an After an air bag inflates, quickly deflates,so quickly it the that some people may not even realize air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module the -steering wheel hub the driver's air bag, or for the instrument panelfor the rightfront passenger's bag -- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with may be warm, but not you too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents the deflated air bags. Air bag in inflation doesn't prevent the driver seeing orfrom from being able to steer the vehicle, nor doesstop people it from leaving the vehicle. How doesan air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal near-frontal collisions, or even belted occupants contact the steering wheel can or the instrument panel.Air bags supplementthe protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But bags air would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion not toward is those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then onlyin moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions. When an air bag inflates, therc dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other in breathing trouble.To avoid this, everyone the vehicle should get out as soon it is safe to do as so. If you have breathing problems but can't get out of the vehicle after air bag inflates, then get an fresh air by opening a window or door. 1-25