document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 205 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09
Airbag system
205
How the side airbags work
Side airbags
When fully inflated, the side airbags reduce the risk of
injuries to the upper part of the body.
Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 219 Side airbags
in inflated condition
Fig. 218 Location of
side airbag in driver's
seat
In certain types of side collisions the side airbags (front and rear*)
are triggered on the impact side of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 219.
The side airbags are located in the backrest padding of the front
seats ⇒ fig. 218. The locations of the airbags are marked with the
word “AIRBAG”.
The front airbags, side airbags and the head-protection airbag may
be triggered together in certain types of accident.
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts, the side airbags give
the occupants additional protection for the whole upper part of the
body (i.e. the chest, stomach and pelvis) in the event of a severe side
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant
gas.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the
airbags have to inflate extremely rapidly (within fractions of a
second). The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite
normal and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.
collision ⇒
in “Important safety notes on the side airbag system”
on page 206.
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the
areas of the body facing the impact.
When fully deployed, the airbags cushion the impact for the occu-
pants and help to reduce the risk of injury to the whole upper part
of the body (i.e. the chest, stomach and pelvis) on the side facing the
door.
If the side airbags are activated, the head-protection airbags (side-
guard system) are always triggered at the same time for additional
protection on the side of the vehicle facing the impact
⇒ page 207.
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
English 
