1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Owner's Manual - Page 61

How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe fiontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can c-mtact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection i of provided by safety belts.Ar bags distribute the force the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, ar stopping the occupant more gradually. Buti bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward those a r bags. Air i bags should never be regarded as anythng more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions. /\ CAUTION: When an air bag inflates, theredust in the air. is This dust could cause breathing problems for of people with a history asthma or other breathing trouble.To avoid this, everyonein the vehicle should get out as soon it is safe to do so. as If you have breathing problems but can't get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door. ~~~ What will you see after an bag inflates? air After an a r bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly i that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module -- the steering wheelhub for the driver's air bag, orthe instrument panelfor the right front passenger's bag -- will be hotfor a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact withyou may be warrn, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents inthe deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor doesit stop people from leaving the vehicle. . ~~ 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. Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they inflate, you'll need some newparts for your air bag system. If you don't them, theair bag system get won't be thereto help protect you in another crash. A new system will include a r bag modules and i possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehcle covers the need to replace other parts. 1-54