Operation

OPERATION

1 - In a frontal impact of sufficient severity:

• Seat belts restrain the driver and passengers.
• The front belt pretensioners and rear pyrotechnic retractors tighten the seat belts so that they press against the body.
• The Programmed Restraint System (SRP) limits the force of the belt on the body.
• The front airbags inflate:

• from the centre of the steering wheel to protect the driver's head,
• from the dashboard to protect the front passenger's head.

• The front knee pretensioners (5-door) or the anti-submarining airbag (3-door) tighten the seat belts to protect the lower limbs.

Note: The driver airbag inflation volume may be modified by the control unit depending on:

• the driver seat adjustment position (see "under-seat switch" section),
• the severity of the impact.

2 - In a side impact of sufficient severity:

• The front thorax side airbag, located in the front seat (impact side), deploys from the door side to protect the chest of the front seat occupant.
• The rear thorax side airbag, if fitted, located on the body side (impact side), deploys from the door side to protect the chest of the rear seat occupant.
• The curtain airbag (impact side) deploys from the door side to protect the heads of the front and rear passengers.

IMPORTANT

• The deployment of pretensioners, pyrotechnic retractors, anti-submarining, front and side airbags may vary depending on the severity and configuration of the impact.
• When it fires, a pyrotechnic gas generator produces a bang and a slight smoke.

Note: The control unit and igniters are normally powered by the vehicle battery.

However, the airbag control unit includes a reserve capacity in case the battery fails at the start of an impact.