1998 Oldsmobile Aurora Owner's Manual - Page 36

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage were. to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and If something is between an occupant and an air how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it near-frontal impacts. might force the object into that person. The path What makes an air bag inflate? of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing put anything between an occupant and an air system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing bag, and don't attach or put anything on the system triggers a release of gas fromthe inflator, which steering wheel hub or on or near any other air inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related bag covering. hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the When should an air bag inflate? right front passenger. How does an air bag restrain? An air bag is designed to inflatein a moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, only if the impact speed is above the system's designed even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or "threshold level." If your vehicle goes straight into a the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of about 8 to 11 mph (13 to 18 km/h). The threshold level the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,so that stopping the occupant more gradually. But a r bags would i it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your not help you in many types ofcollisions, including vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such rollovers, rear impacts andside impacts, primarily as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The because an occupant's motionis not toward those air air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side bags. Air bags should neverbe regarded as anything impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in help the occupant. moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions. 1-24