AIRBAG security system (BMW 5 Series E34)

The AIRBAG safety system includes a steering wheel airbag that inflates with gas during a collision, a gas generator, right and left impact sensors in the front of the vehicle, belt tensioning components and an electronic unit with a sensor in the cabin.

AIRBAG indicator light

The light on the instrument panel indicates that the system is ready for operation after turning the ignition key to position 1.

The system is ready for operation:

The indicator lamp lights up for a while (6 seconds) and then goes out.

System is faulty:

• The control lamp does not light
• The control lamp lights up for 6 seconds, goes out and lights up again
• While driving, the lamp flashes for about 5 minutes, then remains on continuously.

In this case, there is a risk that the system will not work in the event of an accident.

For safety reasons, the system should be checked by a BMW service partner.

Functioning of the system

In the event of a collision, the air cushion located under the trim in the center of the steering wheel instantly fills with gas. Inflating above the steering wheel, it prevents the driver from moving forward and protects the upper part of his body. The entire process lasts a fraction of a second.



Usually the driver does not feel the impact when the airbag is filled with gas; on the contrary, the explosion of the pyropatron and the filling of the airbag, due to the very short response time, occur almost unnoticed in the context of an accident.

Caution: Sit in the seat as comfortably as possible, but as far away from the steering wheel and dashboard as possible.

Always hold the steering wheel by the rim.

The AIRBAG system is activated exclusively in the event of a frontal collision with a solid obstacle at a speed above 20 km/h or at higher speeds with more flexible obstacles.

The figure shows the area in which the airbags are deployed upon impact.

In minor accidents and rollovers, side or rear impacts, the protective function is performed exclusively by seat belts.

The AIRBAG system does not exclude the use of seat belts.

When the system is triggered, a small amount of smoke is released along with the gas. It is not harmful to health and is not the result of a car fire.

It is prohibited to modify the elements and electrical equipment of the system. This especially concerns the soft steering wheel trim, which cannot be glued, re-tightened or otherwise modified, and the steering wheel itself, which is not recommended to be removed independently.

Repair work on the AIRBAG system must only be carried out by a BMW service centre.

Unqualified repair work may cause the system to malfunction or operate unintentionally, resulting in injury.

When disposing of the airbag and gas generator, please observe the safety instructions provided by BMW, which are available from your service representative.



There is a sticker in the glove compartment indicating the inspection deadlines that must be observed.



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