Passenger's Airbag

Front Passenger's Airbag Unit:

The risk of injuries in the area of the chest and head from serious front-end accidents is still further reduced by the combined system of safety belts with belt tensioners and driver's or front passenger's airbags (if equipped), as compared with the safety belts with belt tensioners installed as standard equipment (without airbag).

The driver's and front passenger's airbag units are both marked "SRS airbag". The control/warning lamp carries the letters SRS (Supplementary Restraint System).

The front passenger's airbag unit is installed instead of the glove box.

The front passenger's airbag unit is supplied ready for installation and comprises a die-cast, light alloy frame with two gas generators (as used on the existing driver's airbag unit) on one side and the folded airbag with its cover on the other.

The front passenger's airbag is made of similar material to the driver's airbag (neoprene coated polyamide fabric), sewn together from 4 parts, and has a volume of approx. 170 liters (driver's airbag approx. 60 liters) when inflated. The gas released by the ignition of the solid propellant contains approx. 95 % nitrogen. It is non-toxic and non-caustic. The shape of the front passenger's airbag is completely different from that of the driver's airbag.

Driver's And Passenger's Airbag as of 09/87 (Non-USA):

For evacuation after inflation, the front passenger's airbag incorporates an insert made of filter mesh which is permeable to gas and is located on the side facing the windshield.

The two gas generators in the front passenger's airbag are not ignited simultaneously, but at a 15 ms time lag. As a result, the time required for inflation is slightly extended and the pressure increase inside the vehicle is retarded. The inflation period for the front passenger's airbag is approx. 35 ms (driver's airbag approx. 25 ms). The method of operation is the same as for the driver's airbag unit.

The front passenger's airbag unit, supplied ready for installation, is introduced from inside the vehicle into the modified, reinforced dashboard after the two special connections have been plugged in. The airbag is secured with a single bolt.
Before the front passenger's airbag unit is installed in the vehicle, the unit is automatically short-circuited electrically with two short-circuiting links. These open automatically when the plug connectors are inserted.

The trim underneath the instrument panel, towards the front passenger's footwell, has been adapted to the modified shape.

The airbag trim facing the front passenger continues the line of the instrument panel. It consists of grained PVC sheet with polyurethane foam backing, reinforced by a light alloy panel.

Passenger Airbag Unit (Cross Section):

Passenger Airbag Unit (Cross Section)(USA Version):

1 Panel under dashboard
2 Central retaining bolt for front passenger's airbag unit
3 Predetermined breaking point
4 Dashboard
5 Folded airbag
6 Bore
8 Energy absorbing panel under dashboard (USA)