The airbags are triggered by impacts coming from the directions shown in the illustration. Note that the supplementary protection against lateral impact is available only on vehicles equipped with optional door-mounted airbags.

Indicator lamp in instrument cluster
The indicator lamp comes on from ignition key position 1 to indicate that the system is operational.
System operational:
* The indicator lamp comes on briefly. System malfunction:
* The indicator lamp fails to come on.
* Indicator lamp lights up for approx. 4 seconds, goes out briefly and then lights up again.

A system malfunction could prevent the system from responding to an impact occurring within its normal response range.

Please have your authorized BMW Retailer inspect and repair the system as soon as possible.


For your own safety, please observe the following precautions concerning airbags, as otherwise their protective function may be impaired. We also request that you make this information available to your passengers, and that you urge them to observe the instructions for safety belt use: the airbags are a supplemental restraint device designed to provide extra protection; they are not a substitute for safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all times. The system does not respond to minor collisions, if the vehicle rolls over, or if the impact is at the rear of the vehicle. In this situation, only the safety belt protects you.

When adjusting your seat, select a position that provides maximum distance between you and the steering wheel, the instrument panel and the door while still allowing comfortable and safe access to all vehicle controls.

Always grip the steering wheel on its rim with your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions, otherwise hand and arm injuries could occur when the airbag inflates.

Never allow any objects to obstruct the area between the airbag and the driver/ passenger.

Do not use the cover panel above the passenger-side airbag as a storage area.

Do not glue, cover or in any way alter the padded covers on the steering wheel, the instrument panel or the side trim panels of the front doors. Do not install a rear-facing child restraint device on the front passenger seat. Children under 12 years of age should only sit in the back.

Even when all these guidelines are observed, there is still a residual risk of mild facial injuries occurring in isolated instances of airbag actuation. The ignition and inflation noise may induce a mild temporary hearing loss in sensitive individuals.

Airbag information is also located on the sun visors.


Notes on safety
Never attempt to remove the gas generator for the airbag passenger-restraint system from the vehicle. Testing and service procedures are to be performed exclusively by qualified technicians. In the event of malfunction, deactivation or triggering (in response to an accident), always entrust repair and service operations to your authorized BMW Retailer.

Do not modify or tamper with either the wiring or the individual components in the airbag system; these include also the padded covers on the steering wheel, on the instrument panel or on the side trim panels of the front doors. Never apply adhesive materials to these components and never cover or modify them in any way. Do not remove or dismantle the steering wheel.

The airbag generator can be disposed of only by a BMW Retailer.

Unprofessional attempts to service the system could lead to failure in an emergency or undesired airbag activation, either of which could result in personal injury.