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Airbag system198
the event of a side collision so as to enable the head airbags to offer the
maximum protection.
You should therefore always fasten ⇒ page 183, “Why seat belts?” the
seat belts, not only because this is required by law, but also for safety
reasons and for your own protection.
Together with other elements (such as cross bars in the seats, stable
vehicle structure) the head airbags are the consequent further develop-
ment of occupant protection in the case of side collisions.
Function of the head airbags
The risk of injury to the head and neck area is reduced in
the event of a side collision by fully inflated head airbags.
In the case of a side collision the head airbag is deployed together with
the relevant side airbag on the side of the car on which the accident occurs
⇒ fig. 168.
If the head airbag is deployed, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and
extends over the entire area of the side window including the door pillars
⇒ fig. 168.
The protection offered by the head airbags is thus available simultane-
ously both to the front occupants of the car seated on the side on which
the accident occurs, as well as to the rear occupants. Any impact of the
head against parts of the interior or objects outside of the car, is cushioned
by the inflated head airbag. The reduction in any impact to the head and
the resultant minimizing of any movements of the head additionally reduce
the risk of injuries to the neck area. The head airbag also offers additional
protection in the case of an offset impact by covering the front door pillar.
In certain accident situations both the front airbags as well as the side and
head airbags may be deployed together.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high speed in order to
be able to offer that additional protection in the event of an accident. A
grey white, non harmful gas is released when airbag is inflated. This is
perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
Important safety information on the head airbag
Correct use of the airbag system considerably reduces the
risk of injury!
WARNING
• It is essential to always switch off ⇒ page 199, “Deactivating an
airbag” the front passenger airbag when attaching a child safety
seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its
back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the
child is facing the direction of travel). If this is not done, there is a
risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front
passenger airbag is deployed. In certain countries national legal
Fig. 168 Inflated head
airbag
s24s
.
book
Page
198
Thursday
,
November
24
,
2005
12:27
PM
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