Side Airbag

A side airbag is fitted on the outer edge of the seat backrest (the side facing the door), specifically engineered to protect an occupant's torso (chest and abdomen) and pelvic area during a side-impact collision. It is typically marked with the word "AIRBAG" and serves as a vital passive safety feature secondary only to the front airbags.

Installation Location and Protection

Side airbags are integrated into the outer sides of the front seat backrests within the seat frame. In the event of a side collision, the side airbag rapidly inflates and deploys between the occupant and the door panel, forming a protective cushioning barrier to minimise injuries caused by occupants striking hard surfaces such as the door trim or window glass due to inertia.

Rear side airbags are also becoming increasingly common, typically equipped in mid-to-high-spec variants to protect rear outboard passengers.

Deployment Conditions

Side airbags do not deploy in every side-impact scenario; triggering them requires specific conditions to be met:

• Primary deployment scenarios: They typically deploy in moderate to severe side collisions, depending on the impact severity, angle, and speed. On certain vehicles equipped with rollover sensors, side airbags may also deploy when a rollover is detected.

• Scenarios where deployment may not occur: In minor side scrapes or collisions, frontal impacts, or rear-end collisions, side airbags generally will not deploy.

Key Safety Precautions

The protective effectiveness of side airbags relies heavily on observing the following safety rules:

1. Must be used in conjunction with seat belts: Side airbags act as supplementary protection to seat belts and can never replace them.

2. Do not use full-coverage seat covers: Non-compatible full-wrap seat covers block the side airbag's deployment seam, impeding its deployment and potentially causing severe injuries. If seat covers are necessary, always select dedicated, airbag-compatible models with pre-cut openings.

3. Maintain a proper seating posture: Occupants should sit upright, refrain from resting their head or arms against the door, and avoid placing items between the door and the seat. These positions can cause severe secondary injuries when the airbag deploys.

4. Keep the deployment zone clear: Never place any items along the side airbag deployment path, as they can become hazardous projectiles when the airbag goes off.

Always pay attention to the SRS warning light on the instrument cluster. If it remains illuminated or flashes after starting the vehicle, it indicates a potential fault in the airbag system, which should be inspected and rectified as soon as possible.