Pic. 1.58. Front Passenger Airbag Location
inscriptions «Airbag» on the steering wheel and on the instrument panel (airbag area A), as well as the appropriate sticker on the bottom of the windshield, indicate that this equipment is installed on the vehicle (pic. 1.58).
Each airbag system includes:
- airbag and gas generator mounted in the center panel of the steering wheel (for the driver) or in the dashboard (for front passenger);
- a common electronic unit consisting of a shock sensor and a tracking system for turning on the gas generator igniter;
- a single control lamp located on the instrument panel;
- an additional forward-facing frontal impact sensor.
Note. The airbag is actuated by a gas-powered system which, when the airbag is inflated, emits smoke and generates some heat (do not be afraid - this does not mean the start of a fire), also distributed cotton. When an airbag deploys, the driver may suffer minor and transient skin injuries.
Operating principle
The system only works when the ignition is on.
In a severe frontal impact, the airbags instantly inflate with gas, thus reducing the impact of the head and chest of the driver on the steering wheel, as well as the head and chest of the front passenger on the dashboard; after impact, the airbags immediately deflate, allowing you to leave the car freely.
Feature of the frontal airbag
Each pillow has two degrees of opening depending on the strength of the impact and a ventilation system to prevent burns from the gases filling the pillow:
- «small volume» - this is the first degree of filling the pillow;
- «large volume» (second level of pillow filling) - the safety seams of the airbag are torn, and it becomes large (with very strong impacts).
Faults
Pic. 1.59. Airbag warning lamp
When the ignition is switched on, the control lamp located on the instrument panel lights up for a few seconds (pic. 1.59).
If the control lamp does not light up when the ignition is switched on, or if it comes on with the engine running, this indicates a malfunction in the airbag system.
Contact a Renault dealer as soon as possible. Late handling can lead to a decrease in safety.
Additional safety devices for passengers in the rear seats
Depending on the vehicle configuration, additional safety devices include:
- seat belt pretensioners built into inertia reels;
- seat belt force limiters.
In the event of a frontal impact, these devices can work both separately from each other and simultaneously.
Depending on the strength of the frontal impact, two options are possible:
- protection is provided only by seat belts;
- the pretensioner is activated, pressing the seat belt tightly against the body.
The rear seat belt pretensioners only operate when the ignition is on.
In the event of a severe frontal impact, the device instantly retracts the belt, pressing it against the body and thereby increasing the efficiency of the belt.
Seat belt force limiter
This device turns on at a certain impact force and limits the force of the belt pressure on the torso.
Side airbags
Side airbags are installed in the front seats and, depending on the vehicle equipment, in the rear side seats and deploy to the side of the seat (from the side of the door) in a severe side impact, protecting the driver and passengers.
Side blinds
These airbags are mounted on top of the vehicle and deploy along the front and rear side windows to protect the driver and passengers in severe side impacts.