Buick Regal: What Makes an Airbag Inflate? - Airbag System - Seats and Restraints - Buick Regal Owners ManualBuick Regal: 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 and deploy. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module.

Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows that have occupant seating positions.

    When Should an Airbag Inflate?
    Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver's or right front passenger's head an ...

    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 ...

    See also:

    Displays and controls
      ...

    Cleaning the wheels
    Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products to remove brake dust. This could damage wheel bolts and brake components. Do not park the vehicle for an extended period straight after cleaning it, pa ...

    Light control switch
    The light control switch only operates when the key is inserted into the ignition switch. Regardless of the position of the light control switch, the illuminated lights are turned off when the ke ...