Maserati 3500 Vignale spyder, Owner'S Manual

Page: 34 / 226

2
34
Front and side airbags
Side airbags (side bags)
The side airbags improve occupant
protection in case of moderate to
severe lateral collision.
They consist of instantaneously
inflating bags housed in the door
panels.
In case of lateral collision, the
electronic control unit processes the
signals from the two satellite sensors
mounted near to the rear wheelhouse
to determine the local acceleration
and it activates the side air bag if
necessary. This inflates by bursting
through the special seam in the door
knob.
The bag inflates instantaneously
between the passenger body and the
door. It then deflates immediately.
In case of low impact lateral collisions
(for which the retaining action of the
seat belts affords adequate
protection), the airbags do not inflate.
It follows that the front airbags (driver
and passenger side) do not replace or
substitute the seat belts but
complement them, and hence the seat
belts must always be worn as provided
by established European legislation
and in most other parts of the world.
The side bags are not de-activated
when the front passenger airbag is de-
activated with the key switch, as
described in the preceding section.
Thus even children being transported
in the front passenger seat are
protected from lateral collisions by the
side bags. WARNING The front and/or side
airbags may inflate if the vehicle
suffers a violent impact beneath the
car body, for example when mounting
the pavement, colliding with steps or
speed bumps, potholes etc.
WARNING Airbag inflation releases a
small amount of powder. This powder
is not harmful and does not indicate
the presence of fire; furthermore the
surface of the deployed bag and the
interior of the vehicle may be covered
with a powdery residue: this powder
may irritate skin and eyes. If contact
occurs, wash with a pH neutral soap
and water.