What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an
electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the
bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inflator, the
airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag
module.
Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering
wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag
modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the
door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are
airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant seating positions.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety
belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted side impact
and roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the impact
more evenly over the occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,
primarily because the occupant’s motion is not
toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-61 for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belts.
1-63
Summary of Contents for 2008 Malibu
Page 17: ...Put someone on it Get it up to speed Then stop the vehicle The rider does not stop 1 13 ...
Page 78: ... NOTES 1 74 ...
Page 132: ... NOTES 2 54 ...
Page 135: ... NOTES 3 3 ...
Page 136: ...Instrument Panel Overview 3 4 ...
Page 214: ... NOTES 3 82 ...
Page 266: ...When you open the hood on the 3 5L V6 engine this is what you see 5 16 ...
Page 268: ...When you open the hood on the 3 6L V6 engine this is what you see 5 18 ...
Page 360: ... NOTES 5 110 ...
Page 374: ...Engine Drive Belt Routing 2 4L L4 Engine 3 5L V6 Engine 6 14 ...
Page 375: ...3 6L Engine 6 15 ...
Page 398: ... NOTES 7 20 ...