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. 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.
Chevrolet Cobalt Service & Repair Manual. Compression Pressure
When inspecting cylinder compression,
the engine should be at room temperature, the throttle should be open, the
spark plugs removed and the battery at full charge. The lowest reading cylinder
should not be less than 70% of the highest and no cylinder reading should
be less th ...