How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many types of collisions, primarily because the occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts.
See also:
Playing a CD
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player pulls it in, and READING displays. The
CD should begin playing. If you want to insert a
CD with the ignition off, first press the ejec ...
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels ...
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Raise or l ...
