1996 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 31

What will you see after an air inflates? bag After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that some people may not even realize theair bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, or the instrument panel for the right front passenger's bag, will be hot for a short time. The part of the bag that comes into contact with you may be warm, but it will never be too hot to touch. There will be somesmoke and dust coming from vents in the deflatedair bags. Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor will stop people it from leaving the vehicle. I A CAUTION: When an airbag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could causebreathing problems for people witha history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out assoon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but can't getout of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door. In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger air bag. The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they inflate, you'll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don't get them, the air bag system won't be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts.The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. 1-24