1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Owner's Manual - Page 31
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Manual
Page 31 highlights
A When should air bag inflate? an An air bagis designed to inflate in a moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crash. The a r bag will inflate i only ifthe impact speedis above the system's designed "threshold level."If your vehicle goes straight a into wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold is level about 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, that so it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move deform, such or as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The a r bag is not designed to inflate rollovers, side i in impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. In any particular crash, no can say whether an one air bag should have inflated simply because the damage of to a vehicle or because what the repair costs were. of Inflation is determined by the angle the impact and of how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts. If something is between occupant andan air an bag, the bag might not inflate properlyit or might force the object into person. Thepath that of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put anything between occupant andan air an bag, and don't attach or put anything on the steering wheelhub or on or near any other air bag covering. 1-24