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:
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the scheduled maintenance int ...
Entry Lighting
The headlamps, parking lamps, taillamps, and most of the interior lamps turn
on briefly when is pressed on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. After about 30 seconds the exterior lamps
...
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint
system may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in serious injury
or even death in a crash. ...