Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual: What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual / Seats and Restraints / Airbag System / 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. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module.

For airbag locations, see Where Are the Airbags?.

When Should an Airbag Inflate?

This vehicle is equipped with airbags. See Airbag System. Airbags are designed to inflate if the impact exceeds the specific airbag system's deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds ar ...

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 occupant ...

Other materials:

RKE System Operation
The keyless access system allows for vehicle entry when the transmitter is within 1m (3 ft). See "Keyless Access Operation" later in this section. The RKE transmitter may work up to 60m (197 ft) away from the vehicle. Other conditions can affect the performance of the transmitter. See R ...