1997 Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual - Page 28

I air When should an 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 straight into a wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 lunih). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something 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. If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag may not inflate properly it might or force the object into that person. The pathof an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put anything between an occupant and an air and bag, don't attach or put anythingon the steeringwheel air hub or on or near any other bag covering. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts. 1-21