AIRBAGS FAQ
Can the installation of push bumpers on the front end of the
vehicle affect the deployment of the airbag?
General Motors is not aware of adverse effects during crash
events from the many push bumpers that have been installed
on GM police vehicles. Because there are many styles of
push bumpers available with varying crash characteristics,
installation of push bumpers may or may not effect deployment
timing of the airbags. Push bumpers should be mounted to
avoid modifying the vehicle structure and interfering with the
front airbag sensors mounted on the upper radiator support
cross member.
Two front impact sensors are installed in General Motors
vehicles. Do not relocate or disconnect the front sensors.
The location and orientation of the front sensors are critical
for correct operation of the airbag system. Avoid mounting
components on or near the sensors. Push bumper styles with
vertical pushing members that are in foreaft alignment with
the front airbag sensors are not recommended.
When should an airbag inflate?
The driver's and right-front passenger's frontal airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-
frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the
impact speed is above the system's designed "threshold
level."
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags which
tailor the amount of restraint according to crash severity. For
moderate frontal impacts, the airbags inflate at a level less
than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, "dual
stage" frontal airbags deploy at full levels.
If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that
doesn't move or deform, the threshold level of the reduced
deployment is about 12 to 16mph (19 to 15 km/h), and the
threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 24 mph
(29 to 28.5 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with
specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or
below this range.
If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform
such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
driver's and right-front passenger's frontal airbags are not
designed to inflate in rollover, side impacts, or rear impacts,
because inflation would not help the occupant.
Seat mounted side impact airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes. The side impact airbags will
inflate if the crash severity is above the designed "threshold
level." The threshold level can vary with specific vehicles
design. The side impact airbags are not designed to inflate
on frontal or near frontal impacts or rear impacts, because
inflation would not help the occupant.
Roof rail mounted head-curtain airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. In addition, certain
vehicles have head-curtain airbags which are also designed
to inflate in situations where an impending rollover condition
is identified by the vehicle's rollover sensing system and/or
frontal or near-frontal impacts if the crash severity is above
the designed "threshold level." Safety belt pretensioners at
the driver and front passenger seat positions are designed
to deploy in frontal, near-frontal, side, and rear crashes that
exceed the "threshold level" of crash severity to help reduce
slack in the safety belt. Safety belt pretensioners will also
deploy in impending rollover situations.
How long will the airbag remain inflated?
It takes approximately 1/20th of a second to fully inate the
frontal airbags. This is faster than the blink of an eye. The
airbags begin to deate immediately, helping to stop the
occupants more gradually. Unlike frontal airbags, head curtain
side airbags can remain inflated for more than 5 seconds
before they start to deate.
I've heard that a deployed airbag produces what appears to
be smoke, is the airbag hot?
After the bag has deployed in a crash, the airbag itself will not
be hot to touch. Some components within the airbag module
will be hot for a short time. A small amount of smoke coming
from a deployed airbag module is normal and should not
be cause for concern. Also, when the nitrogen gas is vented
out of the airbag, small particles from inside the bag are also
vented into passenger compartment. These airborne particles
look like smoke and some particles are deposited as residue
on and around the airbag.
I've heard that the dusts that are released into the passenger
compartment from the airbag are harmful, is this true?
For most people, the only effect the dusts will produce is
some irritation of the throat and eyes, and that is only if the
occupant remains in the vehicle for many minutes after the
airbag deployment with no ventilation and windows closed.
However, some people with asthma may develop an asthmatic
attack from inhaling the dusts. If this happens, they should
first treat themselves the same way their doctor has advised
them to treat any other asthma attack, and then immediately
seek medical treatment.
Can the airbag system be re-used?
No. The airbags are designed to inflate only once. After
inflation, some new parts will be required. These will include the
airbag module and possibly other parts. (A competent service
technician with access to the vehicle's service manual and the
required tools should replace the required components after
a deployment crash.)
If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear my
safety belt?
Yes, safety belts are the primary safety restraint in the vehicle.
Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of
them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so
they work with safety belts, not instead of them. Every airbag
system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety
belts. Even if you're in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have
to buckle up to get the most protection. That's true not only
in frontal collisions but especially in side and other collisions.
Always use safety belts and the correct restraint for your child’s age and size, even with air bags. Even in vehicles equipped with the Passenger Sensing
System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate infant, child or booster seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the
front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the Owner’s Manual and the child safety seat instructions for more safety information.
