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:
Footnotes — Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services — Normal
a) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
replacement may be needed if the
vehicle is driven in areas with heavy
traffic, areas with poor air quality,
or areas with high du ...
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local govern ...
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice:
Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire d ...