Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for some time after they inflate. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For location of the airbags, see Where Are the Airbags? on page 3-21.
The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle.
Warning
When an airbag inflates, there may be dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate, without airbag inflation, after an event that exceeds a predetermined threshold. You can lock the doors, and turn off the interior lamps, and turn off the hazard warning flashers by using the controls for those features.
Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may have also damaged important functions in the vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and steering systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may be concealed damage that could make it difficult to safely operate the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt to restart the engine after a crash has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the front outboard passenger airbag.
- Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an airbag inflates, you
will need some new parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for the vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
- The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy on page 13-14 and Event Data Recorders on page 13-14.
- Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service.
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 ...
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the front outboard passenger position.
The passenger airbag status indicator will light on the center display when the
vehicle is started.
Unite ...
Other materials:
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 ...
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles,
latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep
a safety belt system from doing its job. See your dealer to have it rep ...
Exit Lighting
If the dome lamps are in the DOOR position, they come on automatically when the
key is removed from the ignition. The exterior lamps and dome lamps remain on after
the door is closed for a set amount of time, then automatically turn off.
The headlamps, parking lamps, and back-up lamps will turn ...
