1993 Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual - Page 26

. . d A x1210 I If your vehicle hasa right-front passenger air bag, it is located in the instrument panel on the passenger's side. should have inflated cannot be based Q: When is an air bag expected to solely on the level of damage on the inflate? vehicle(s). Inflation is determined by A: The air bag is designed to inflate in the angle of the impact andthe moderate to severefrontal or nearvehicle's deceleration, of which frontal crashes. The air bag will only vehicle damage is only one inflate if the velocity of the impact is indication. Repair cost is not a good above the designed threshold level. indicator of whether an air bag When impacting straight intoa wall should have deployed. that does not move or deform, the threshold level for most GM vehicles Q: What makes an air bag inflate? is between 9 and 14 mph (14 and A: In a frontal impact of sufficient 23 km/h). However, this velocity severity, sensors strategically located threshold depends on the vehicle on the vehicle detect thatthe vehicle design and may be several miles-peris suddenly stoppingas a result of a hour faster or slower. In addition, crash. These sensors complete an this threshold velocity will be electrical circuit, triggering a considerably higher if the vehicle chemical reaction of the sodium strikes an object such as a parked car azide sealed in the inflator. The which will move and deform on reaction produces nitrogen gas, impact. The air bag is also not which inflates thecloth bag. The designed to inflate in rollovers, side inflator, cloth bag, and related impacts, or rear impacts where the hardware are all part of the air bag inflation would provide no occupant inflator module packedinside the protection benefit. steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the passenger if In any particular crash, the there is a passenger air bag. determination of whether the air bag 26 D D D