2011 Chevrolet Volt Owner's Manual - Page 85

Seats and Restraints Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example: . 3-29 Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts. In addition the vehicle has dual‐stage frontal airbags. Dual‐stage airbags adjust the restraint according to crash severity. Frontal knee airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal impacts that exceed a predetermined deployment threshold. The vehicle has electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform. If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole), the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall). If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object. . . The vehicle has seat-mounted side impact airbags and roof-rail airbags. See Airbag System on page 3‑25. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are intended to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. In addition, these roof‐rail airbags are intended to inflate during a rollover or in a severe frontal impact. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's designed threshold level. The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Roof-rail airbags are not intended to inflate in rear impacts. A seat‐mounted side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Both roof‐rail airbags will deploy when either side of the vehicle is struck or if the sensing system predicts that the vehicle is about to roll over, or in a severe frontal impact. . Thresholds can also vary with specific vehicle design.