1995 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 29

When should an airbag inflate? The airbag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. 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 km/h). 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 designed to inflate in rollovers, side not impacts, or rearimpacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. The right front passenger's air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger's side. 1-22