Get Controls and features -> Airbags Guide for BMW 3 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (1997-2006)

Passenger safety systems

Airbags

The side airbags in the rear pas-

senger area* of your vehicle may

dismantle the steering wheel. Unpro-

fessional attempts to service the sys-

already have been deactivated either at tem could lead to failure in an emer-

the time of manufacture or by a BMW gency or undesired airbag activation,

center. You may have them activated if either of which could result in personal

you desire to do so. Please contact

your BMW center for additional infor-

mation.<

injury. Do not touch the individual com-

ponents directly after the system has

been triggered, as otherwise there is a

danger of burns.<

The airbags will not be triggered in

the event of a minor accident, cer-

tain vehicle rollover situations or colli-

sions from the rear.<

At all times, occupants should sit

upright and be properly restrained

– infants and small children in appropri-

ate child-restraint systems; larger chil-

1 Front airbags on the driver and pas-

senger sides

Do not apply adhesive materials to dren and adults using the safety belts.

the cover panels of the airbags, Never let an occupant's head rest near

cover them or modify them in any other or on a side airbag because the inflating

way. Do not attempt to remove the air- airbag could cause a serious or fatal

bag restraint system from the vehicle. In injury. Please note that the word Airbag

the event of a malfunction, deactivation imprinted on the door trim panel indi-

or triggered activation – as a response

to an accident – of the airbag restraint

system, consult your BMW center for

inspection, repair or disassembly. Mod- is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-

ifications may not be made on either ting in the rear seat and not properly

the wiring or the individual components restrained may place his or her head on

in the airbag system. This includes the

upholstered covers on the steering

wheel, the instrument panel, the side

trim panels of the doors and front roof

pillars and on the sides of the front

2 Side airbags on the driver and pas-

senger sides – front and rear*

Protective effect

The front airbags protect the driver and

passenger in the event of a head-on

collision where the protection provided

by the safety belt alone would not be

adequate. The side airbags help pro-

vide protection in the event of a colli-

sion from the side. Each of the side air-

bags is designed to help support the

seat occupant's upper body.

cates the airbag's location.

Accident research shows that the saf-

est place for children in an automobile

or near the side airbag, if so equipped.

For example, a child – even though

belted – may fall asleep with his or her

head against the side airbag. It may be

difficult for a driver to ensure that chil-

For information on the correct sitting

position, refer to page 48.

headliner. Do not attempt to remove or dren in the rear seat will remain prop-

⁵⁸Airbags

erly positioned at all times and not

place their heads on or near the side

airbag. Therefore, we recommend that

the rear seat side airbags, if provided,

be deactivated if you plan to transport

children in the rear seat.

The rear seat side airbags may already

have been deactivated, either at the

time of manufacture or by a BMW cen-

ter. Labels in the door opening should

indicate the status of your rear-seat

side airbags. If you are uncertain of

their status, or wish to have the airbags

activated or deactivated, please con-

tact your BMW center.<

This is the right way a child should sit in This is the right way a larger child

a child-restraint when rear side airbags, should sit wearing the seat belt when

see arrow, are provided.

rear side airbags, see arrow, are pro-

vided.

Even when all these guidelines are

observed, there is still a small residual

risk of injuries to the face, hands and

arms occurring from airbag deployment

in isolated instances.

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp indicates the

operational status of the airbag

system when the ignition key is

in position 1 or higher.

The ignition and inflation noise may

provoke a mild temporary hearing loss

in extremely sensitive individuals.

System operational:

>The indicator lamp comes on briefly

when the ignition key is turned to

position 1 or higher.

Airbag warning information is also pro-

vided on the sun visors.

System malfunction:

>Indicator lamp does not come on or

>indicator lamp lights up continuously.

Airbags

Transporting children safely

If there is a system malfunction, there is

a risk that the airbags will not be trig-

gered within their normal response

Leave the rear safety belts in the

holders if they are not needed to

avoid unwanted movement from the

range, even if the level of impact would safety belts at high speeds.<

normally have triggered them.

Commercially available child seats

complying with the legal standard are

Have your BMW center inspect the sys-

tem immediately.

designed to be secured with a seat belt

or with the seat belt portion of a combi-

nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or

inadequately installed restraint sys-

tems can increase the risk of injury to

children. Always read and follow the

instructions that come with the system.

Child-restraint system with tether

strap

If you use a child-restraint system with

a tether strap, two additional tether

anchorage points have been provided –

refer to the arrows in the illustration.

Controls and features -> Airbags for Your BMW 3 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (1997-2006)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals