1998 Chevrolet Express Van Owner's Manual - Page 37

If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly it or might force the object into person. The path that of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put anythingbetween an occupant and an air bag, anddon't attach or put anything the on steering wheel hub oron or near any other air bag covering. And don't hang anything from the of assist handleon the passenger's side the instrument panel. When should an air bag inflate? An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system's designed "threshold level." If your vehicle goes straightinto a wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is about 11 to 16 mph (18 to 26 km/h). The threshold so level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, that it can be somewhat above or below this range.If your vehicle strikessomething that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. In any particular crash, no one say whether anair can bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Inflation is determined bythe angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts. What makes an air bag inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the bag sensing air system detects that the vehicle is in crash. The sensing a system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator,air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in instrument panel infront of the the right front passenger. 1-30