Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: 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. 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.
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an
electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the
bag to break out of the cover ...
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal 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 tim ...
See also:
Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual. Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer/
retailer will order you an extender. When you go in to
order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid
person ...
Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual
- In Brief
- Seats and Restraint System
- Features and Controls
- Instrument Panel
- Driving Your Vehicle
- Service and Appearance Care
- Maintenance Schedule
- Customer Assistance Information
Chevrolet Cobalt Service Manual
- Air Bags
- Air Conditioning & Heater
- Body & Frame
- Brakes
- Cooling System
- Driveline
- Electrical
- Electronic Stability Controls
- Engine Service
