Depending on the vehicle, they may comprise:

  • seat belt inertia reel pretensioners;
  • lap seat belt pretensioners;
  • chest force limiters;
  • airbags driver and passenger front.

These systems are designed to act independently or together when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact.

Depending on the severity of the impact, the system can cause:

  • blocking of the seat belt;
  • the seat belt inertia reel pretensioner which is triggered to correct seat belt slack;
  • the lap seat belt pretensioner to hold the occupant in their seat;
  • the front airbag.
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■ Pretensioners

The pretensioners hold the seat belt against the body, holding the occupant more securely against the seat, thus increasing the seat belt's efficiency.

In the event of a severe frontal impact and if the ignition is switched on, the system may engage the following depending on the force of the impact:

  • the seat belt inertia reel pretensioner 1 which instantly retracts the seat belt;
  • the lap seat belt inertia reel pretensioner 2 on the front seats.
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  • Have the entire restraint system checked following an accident.
  • No operation whatsoever is permitted on any part of the system (pretensioners, Airbags, computers, wiring) and the system components must not be reused on any other vehicle, even if identical.
  • Only qualified personnel from our Network may work on the Airbags; otherwise, the system may trigger accidentally and cause injury.
  • The electrical trigger system may only be tested by a specially trained technician using special equipment.
  • When the vehicle is scrapped, contact an approved dealer for disposal of the pretensioner and Airbags gas generators.

■ Load limiter

Above a certain severity of impact, this mechanism is used to limit the force of the belt against the body so that it is at an acceptable level.

■ Driver and passenger front airbags

Fitted to the driver and passenger sides A.

You can tell if an airbag is installed by the "Airbag" mark on the steering wheel, dashboard (airbag installation area A), and lower part of the windshield.

Each airbag system consists of:

  • an airbag and gas generator fitted on the steering wheel for the driver and in the dashboard for the front passenger;
  • an electronic unit for monitoring the system controlling the gas generator electrical trigger;
  • remote sensor;
  • a single 2_ALL_094_1_pictogramme.png warning light on the instrument panel.

▶ Operation

This system is only operational when the vehicle power is on or the engine is running.

In a severe frontal impact, the airbags inflate rapidly, cushioning the impact of the driver's head and chest against the steering wheel and of the front passenger against the dashboard.

The airbags then deflate immediately so that the passengers are not in any way prevented from leaving the vehicle.

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The airbag system uses pyrotechnic principles. This explains why, when the airbag inflates, it will generate heat, produce smoke (this does not mean that a fire is about to start) and sound like a detonation. In a situation where an airbag deployment is required, it will inflate immediately and this may cause some minor, superficial grazing to the skin or other problems.

All of the warnings below are given so that the airbag is not obstructed in any way when it is inflated and also to prevent the risk of serious injuries caused by items which may be dislodged when it inflates.

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Warnings in relation to the driver's airbag

  • Do not modify the steering wheel or the boss.
  • Do not cover the steering wheel boss under any circumstances.
  • Do not attach any objects (badge, logo, watch, telephone cradle, etc.) to the steering wheel boss.
  • The steering wheel must not be removed (except by qualified personnel from our Network).
  • Do not sit too close to the steering wheel: sit with your arms slightly bent (see "Adjusting your driving position" Seat belts).

This will allow sufficient space for the airbag to deploy correctly and be fully effective.

Warnings in relation to the passenger's airbag

  • Do not attach or glue any objects (badge, logo, clock, telephone holder, etc.) to the dashboard over or near the airbag.
  • Do not place anything between the dashboard and the passenger (animal, umbrella, walking stick, parcels, etc.).
  • The passenger must not put his or her feet on the dashboard or seat as there is a risk that serious injuries may be sustained. As a general rule, parts of the body should be kept away from the dashboard (knees, hands, head, etc.).

  • Do not install a child safety seat in the front passenger seat. There is a risk of serious injury if the airbag deploys. The child safety seat must be installed in the rear seat.

    Do not carry or hold a child in the front passenger seat. Do not place children, the elderly, or pregnant women in the front passenger seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger airbag. There is a risk of severe injury from the strong impact when the passenger airbag deploys.

Airbag deployment: when they activate and when they do not

To avoid serious injury due to sudden expansion of the airbag, refer to the following information.

■ When the airbag is activated

If the passenger receives an impact that could cause serious injury even if the passenger is properly wearing the seat belt in a frontal or side collision, the airbag will be activated.

■ When the airbag does not activate

Due to the shock-absorbing body structure of the vehicle, the energy of the collision is absorbed and distributed in the vehicle, so the impact on the passenger may be less than the damage to the vehicle. Therefore, even if the damage to the vehicle is severe, the airbag may not be activated.

■ Operation of the driver/passenger front airbag

▶ When it is activated

  • In the event of a frontal collision where the seat belt alone cannot protect the occupants,
  • If a strong impact is received from a direction within approximately 30 degrees to the left or right of the front of the vehicle
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The airbag inflates rapidly with high-temperature gas to protect the lives of passengers in a sudden accident. Depending on the condition of the accident, injuries such as abrasions, bruises, and burns may occur.

▶ When it may work

It may work when the vehicle receives a strong impact from the road surface or the like while driving.

  • In case of collision with a road bump, etc. at high speed
  • When you fall into a deep hole or ditch
  • When you jump and hit the ground

In the above cases, the damage to the vehicle is at least stronger than expected, so the airbag is activated to detect these and protect the passengers.

▶ Cases where it is difficult to operate

As shown below, when the impact is weak, it may not operate, and especially when the impact target is deformed or pushed out, making it difficult for the airbag to operate.

  • In the event of an accident where the seat belt alone can protect the occupants
  • If you collide with a stationary vehicle of the same class at a speed of less than 50 km/h
  • frontal impact, underneath the tail of a lorry
  • If you collide with a guardrail or the like on a curved road

▶ If it does not work

  • If you are hit or collided from the side or rear
  • If you roll over or over
  • If you collide after the airbag has been activated
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The airbag inflates rapidly with high-temperature gas to protect the lives of passengers in a sudden accident. Depending on the condition of the accident, injuries such as abrasions, bruises, and burns may occur.

■ Operation of side airbags, curtain airbags, and front seat center side (far side) airbags

▶When they operate

They operate when the impact is strong as follows:

  • When a normal passenger car is hit from the side (near the front seat occupants) at a speed of 25 km/h or more

▶ Cases where it is difficult to operate

In the following cases, it may not operate when the impact is weak, and especially when the impact target is deformed or pushed out and the impact is mitigated, the airbag may have difficulty operating.

  • When colliding diagonally near the front seat
  • When colliding diagonally forward (when colliding diagonally with a wall)
  • When colliding with the side of the engine room
  • When colliding with a utility pole or other low-speed object on the side
  • When colliding with a motorcycle head-on from the side
  • When rolling or overturning

▶ Cases where it does not operate

It will not operate in the following cases:

  • When colliding from the rear
  • When colliding after the side airbag has been activated