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Seating
and safety restraints
100
The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation. The front air bags
are designed to inflate in frontal
and nearĆfrontal collisions, not
rollover, sideĆimpact, or rear
impacts.
For information on sideĆimpact
collisions, refer to Side airbag
system (if equipped) in this
chapter.
The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After air
bag deployment, it is normal to
notice a smokeĆlike, powdery
residue or smell the burnt
propellant. This may consist of
cornstarch, talcum powder (to
lubricate the bag) or sodium
compounds (e.g., baking soda) that
result from the combustion process
that inflates the air bag. Small
amounts of sodium hydroxide may
be present which may irritate the
skin and eyes, but none of the
residue is toxic.