Airbags are activated (able to inflate if necessary) only when the vehicle is in the ON position and it can be activated within about 3 minutes after vehicle is turned off.

Airbags inflate instantly in the event of serious frontal or side collision (if equipped with side airbag or curtain airbag) in order to help protect the occupants from serious physical injury.

There is no single speed at which the airbags will inflate.

Generally, airbags are designed to inflate based upon the severity of a collision and its direction. These two factors determine whether the sensors produce an electronic deployment/inflation signal.

Airbag deployment depends on a number of factors including vehicle speed, angles of impact and the density and stiffness of the vehicles or objects which your vehicle hits in the collision. The determining, factors are not limited to those mentioned above.

The front airbags will completely inflate and deflate in an instant.

It is virtually impossible for you to see the airbags inflate during an accident. It is much more likely that you will simply see the deflated airbags hanging out of their storage compartments after the collision.

In order to help provide protection in a severe collision, the airbags must inflate rapidly. The speed of airbag inflation is a consequence of extremely short time in which a collision occurs and the need to get the airbag between the occupant and the vehicle structures before the occupant impacts those structures. This speed of inflation reduces the risk of serious or life-threatening injuries in a severe collision and is thus a necessary part of airbag design.

However, airbag inflation can also cause injuries which can include facial abrasions, bruises and broken bones because the inflation speed also causes the airbags to expand with a great deal of force.

There are even circumstances under which contact with the steering wheel airbag can cause fatal injuries, especially if the occupant is positioned excessively close to the steering wheel.