To help reduce occupant injuries and fatalities, side air bags are being introduced in an increasing number of new vehicles. Side air bags are designed to deploy from either the doors or the outboard side of the seat. Some new vehicles feature rear seat side air bags.

Seat belt pretensioners are also being installed in more vehicles. The pretensioner is designed to take up slack in the seat belt so that the “ride down” effect can start sooner. It also helps to position the occupant back and squarely in the seat, so that the air bag can more effectively deploy.

In 1998, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo plan to introduce side window air bag curtains that drop down from the roof line above the door frame to protect occupants from intrusion, splintering glass, and side window ejection.

First responders at crash scenes need to be aware of these equipment advancements and their location in the vehicle during extrication procedures. The following is a description of the types of side air bags, window curtain air bags, and seat belt pretensioners incorporated in various 1998 model vehicles.

Audi
The A8 and A6 models have front and rear outboard seat-mounted air bags. The single point sensor module is located under the back seat. Both models have front and rear seat belt pretensioners.

The A4 model has front and rear outboard seat-mounted air bags. The single point sensor module is located under the front seat.

Note: All models have sensor mats on all four seat positions. The deployment speed of the air bags vary. They will deploy faster if the seat belt is not connected and slower if the seat belt is connected. Also, air bags will not deploy if seats are unoccupied.

BMW 3, 5, and 7 Series
These models have door panel-mounted front seat air bags. The single point sensor module is located between the front seats. Rear seat door-mounted side air bags are available on the 5 and 7 series.

An Inflator Tubular Structure (ITS) supplemental air bag (BMW calls it Head Protection System, HPS) is standard equipment on the 7 Series and optional on other models. It deploys across the front door glass opening and is anchored at the top of the B pillar and at the bottom of the A pillar. The HPS is stored under the headliner and windshield post cover molding. The inflator modules are located under the dash at the base of the A pillar. The sensor is located between the seats.

Cadillac DeVille Concours, DeVille D’Elegance, and Seville
These models have door panel-mounted front seat air bags. The sensor module is located in the front doors. The fuse for the side air bags is located in the trunk. Front seat belts have pretensioners. Cadillac Seville has front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor module is located in the B pillar above the seat belt pretensioner retractors.

Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette, and Pontiac Transport
These models have front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor module is located in the B pillar above the seat belt retractor. The Silhouette has front seat belt pretensioners.

Chevrolet Prizm
The Prizm has front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor module is located in the lower rear corner of the front door. Both models have front and rear seat belt pretensioners.

Infinity Q-45 and I-30
These models have front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor module is located in the B pillar above the seat belt retractor. Front seat belts use pretensioners.

Jaguar XJ Series
The XJ Series has front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor module is located in the B pillar above the seat belt retractor. Front seat belts use pretensioners.

Note: Up until 1995, Jaguar had a mechanical activation system. Since 1996, side air bags are activated electrically.

Lexus LS 400, GS, and ES 300
These models have front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor module is located in the B pillar above the seat belt retractor. Front seat belts use pretensioners.

Mercedes-Benz C, CL, CLK, SLK, E, S, SL Class, and M Class Sport Utility
Door panel-mounted front seat air bags are standard on all models. The single point sensor module is located in the dash behind the radio. The front passenger air bag will not deploy if the seat is unoccupied. Some 1998 models have optional rear seat side air bags. All models have front seat belt pretensioners.

Several models feature optional, smart child safety seats. When the seat is in the open position, the passenger front air bag is deactivated. Three different child safety seats are available.

Mercedes-Benz will introduce a curtain window bag in its European versions of the E Class and S Class models in Fall 1998 and in their U.S. models in early 1999. The curtain, connected between the A and C pillars, deploys downward from the ceiling on each side of the passenger compartment. First responders should know that the compressed gas cylinder is located in the C pillar. After deployment, the curtain measures about 6 feet long, 14 inches high, and 2 inches thick. The window bag consists of 9 chambers that inflate in just 25 milliseconds. It inflates with the other side air bags, and is designed to protect the occupants from direct side impact, glass splinters, and intrusion during a rollover crash.

Toyota Avalon, Camry, and Corolla
These models feature front outboard seat-mounted air bags. The sensor is located in the lower rear corner of the front door. Side air bags are standard on the Avalon.

Volkswagen Cabrio, Beetle, Golf, Jetta, and Passat
Front outboard seat-mounted air bags are available on these models. The single point sensor module is located under the front seat.

Volvo S70, V70, C70, S90, and V90
Front outboard seat-mounted air bags are standard equipment on all of these models. The mechanical sensor is located in the seat under the lower corner of the outboard side. Front seat belts use pretensioners. The front passenger air bag will not deploy if the seat is unoccupied.

Volvo will introduce the Inflator Curtain (IC) window bag in its S90 model in the Fall of 1998. The IC is a curtain that deploys downward from the ceiling on each side of the passenger compartment between the A and C pillars. First responders should know that the compressed gas cylinder is located in the C pillar. The IC consists of eight air chambers. It is triggered with the seat-mounted side air bags and designed to protect occupants from direct impact, glass splinters, and intrusion during a rollover crash. It deploys within 25 thousandths of a second. Volvo developed this bag with the Autoliv automotive safety company.

Kia Sportage
In this model, a knee bolster air bag “panel” deploys below the steering column to protect the driver’s knees and to help keep the driver back in the seat so that the air bag can deploy more effectively.

Nissan Maxima
The Maxima has front outboard seat-mounted air bags.

Porsche
Door panel-mounted front side air bags are standard on all of the 1998 Boxsters. They are also on the 911 models made after April 1998. The single point sensor module is located in the console. Both 1998 models feature optional, smart child safety seats. When the seat is in the open position, the passenger front air bag is deactivated. Three different child safety seats are available.

If any first responders note side air bags deployed in a crash, please contact:

Special Crash Investigation Notification

24-hour phone: (202) 493-0400

Fax: (202) 366-5374

E-mail address: airbag.crash@nhtsa.dot.gov