1-31
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
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.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
-
frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air
bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near
-
frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates,
so quickly that some people may not even realize
the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag
module
--
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s
air bag, or the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s bag
--
will be hot for a short time.
The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the driver
from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle
should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. 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.
Summary of Contents for 2002 Express
Page 1: ......
Page 6: ...v ...
Page 7: ...vi Model Reference This manual covers these models Passenger Van Cargo Van Cab and Chassis ...
Page 258: ...5 27 2 Loosen the plastic nut caps 3 Remove the center cap ...
Page 306: ...6 39 3 Remove the nuts with a deep socket wrench 4 Remove the hidden upper nuts ...
Page 327: ...6 60 GM Vehicle Care Appearance Materials ...
Page 398: ...7 59 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ...
Page 399: ...7 60 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ...