Jaguar X-Type JJM 21 02 20/15 - Manual (Page 40)

3-8 Before driving
Front airbags
The front airbags use a dual inflation
technology and are designed to activate
when the vehicle suffers a frontal impact
of sufficient force to cause the sensors to
close an electrical circuit that initiates
airbag inflation. Front airbags use a dual
inflation technology which means that, if
activated, the bag(s) will deploy at one of
two levels of inflation.
Sensors monitor the weight on the front
passenger seat. The proximity of the
driver to the steering wheel is also
sensed. In the event of a collision, the
advanced restraint system makes the
decision to activate the appropriate
airbags, the required inflation level and
trigger the seat belt pre-tensioners.
Airbag warning light
The AIRBAG warning light on the
passenger fascia is associated with the
deployment conditions for front
passenger airbags only:
• If the seat is empty, the front and seat
mounted side airbags will not be
activated and the light will not be lit.
• If the seat is occupied by, for
example, a small child, the front and
seat mounted side airbags will not be
activated and the AIRBAG warning
light will be illuminated.
• If the seat is occupied by a larger child
or adult, the front and seat mounted
side airbags will be activated and the
warning light will not be illuminated.
With the driver’s and front passenger’s
airbag, the occupant, restrained by the
seat belt, moves forward, the head and
chest come into contact with the inflated
bag. The airbags which then deflate
rapidly, in a controlled manner, via vent
holes, absorb the remaining energy of the
impact.
If the airbags do not inflate in a collision
it does not mean that something is wrong
with the system.
Rather, it means the forces of the impact
were not of the type sufficient to cause
activation. Front airbags are designed to
inflate in frontal and near frontal
collisions, not roll-over, side-impact or
rear-impact.
In circumstances where the airbags are
not deployed, protection is provided by
the seat belts. The severity of the collision
is a function of the relative speed and
weight of the vehicles or objects colliding.
Thus, it is extremely important that
occupants be properly restrained as far
away from the airbag as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.