1998 Oldsmobile Bravada Owner's Manual - Page 35

If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person. The path of an inflating air bagmust be kept clear. Don't put anythingbetween an occupant and an air bag, and don't attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub oron or nearany other air bag covering. When should an airbag inflate? An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crash. The airbag will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system's designed "threshold level.'' if your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is about 14 to 18 mph (23 to 29 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above orbelow this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts, because intlation would not help the occupant. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts. The air bag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds,especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See "Off-Road Driving" in the index for more tips on off-road driving. 1-23