1997 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 37

IA CAUTIO If something is between an occupant and alr an bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person. The path of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don't attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering. When should an bag inflate? air An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crash. air bag willinflate The only if theimpact speed is above system's designed the "threshold level."If your vehiclegoes straight into a wall that doesn'tmove or deform, the threshold levelis about 9 to 15 mph(14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, that so it can be somewhatabove or below this range. your If 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. In any particularcrash, no one can say whether an air bag shouldhave inflated simplybecause of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Inflation isdetermined by the 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 air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle in a crash. is The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. inflator, air bag and related The hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger. 1-23