Operation Manual

102
VIII
S A F E T Y
AIRBAGS
System designed to maximise the
safety of the occupants (with the
exception of the rear centre pas-
senger) in the event of violent col-
lisions. It supplements the action of
the force-limiting seat belts.
If a collision occurs, the electronic
detectors record and analyse the
front and side impacts sustained in
the impact detection zones:
- in the case of a serious impact,
the airbags are triggered instant-
ly and protect the occupants of
the vehicle (with the exception of
the rear centre passenger); im-
mediately after the impact, the
airbags defl ate rapidly so that
they do not hinder visibility or the
exit of the occupants,
- in the case of a minor or rear
impact or in certain roll-over
conditions, the airbags will not
be triggered; the seat belt alone
is suffi cient to provide optimum
protection in these situations.
The airbags do not operate when
the ignition is switched off.
This equipment will only operate
once. If a second impact occurs
(during the same or a subsequent
accident), the airbag will not operate.
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
Triggering of the airbag(s) is ac-
companied by a slight emission of
harmless smoke and a noise, due to
the activation of the pyrotechnic car-
tridge incorporated in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sen-
sitive individuals may experience
slight irritation.
The noise of the detonation may
result in a slight loss of hearing for
a short time.
Front airbags
System which protects the head and
chest of the driver and front passenger
in the event of a front impact.
The driver's airbag is incorporated
in the centre of the steering wheel;
the front passenger's airbag is incor-
porated in the dashboard above the
glove box.
Activation
The airbags are triggered simultane-
ously, unless the passenger's front
airbag is deactivated, in the event of
a serious front impact applied to all
or part of the front impact zone A ,
in the longitudinal centreline of the
vehicle on a horizontal plane and di-
rected from the front to the rear of
the vehicle.
The front airbag infl ates between the
front occupant of the vehicle and the
dashboard to cushion their forward
movement.