Every year, firefighters, medical personnel and extrication responders
encounter unexpected new technology features at the scene of vehicle
crashes. In just this 1998 model year alone, there are more than 187
different makes and models of vehicles. A total of 34 of them have some
type of side-impact airbag systems. Lack of information about features
such as these new side-impact airbags, second-generation depowered
airbags, laminated glass in side and rear windows, and vehicle
construction materials reduce the effectiveness of rescue procedures and
threaten the safety of responding personnel.
This lesson provides a brief 'A to Z' checklist of significant new
technology items found in 1998 vehicles that can effect responder and
crash scene safety.
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Audi A-8
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Composite (laminated) glass in windshield, rear and side windows; front and rear outboard seat-mounted side impact airbags; single point sensor module under back seat; front and rear seat side impact systems use SMART airbags
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Audi A-6
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Front and rear outboard seat-mounted side impact airbags; single point sensor module along lower seat frame; front and rear seat side impact systems use SMART airbags
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Audi A-4
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Front and rear outboard seat-mounted side impact airbags single point sensor module along lower seat; frame front and rear seat side impact systems use SMART airbags
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BMW 1998 3, 5, 7 series, and Z3 model
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Door-mounted front seat side airbags, single point sensor module mounted to floor between front seats;
rear seat, door mounted, side airbags available on 5 & 7-series;
HPS airbags mounted in A-post and headliner along roof line, sensor;
modules under dash inside at base of A pillar, standard on 7 series,
optional on 3 & 5-series
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Cadillac Catera
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Door panel mounted front seat side impact airbags;
sensor module located in front doors behind trim panel at lower center position, fuse is in the trunk;
front seatbelts use pretensioners;
dual steel bar reinforcements in all four doors;
driveshaft collapses like a telescope on impact
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Cadillac Deville Concours
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Door panel mounted front seat side impact airbags;
sensor module located in front doors behind trim panel at lower center
position, fuse is in the trunk;
front seatbelts use pretensioners
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Cadillac DeVille D'Elegance
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Door panel mounted front seat side impact airbags;
sensor module located in front doors behind trim panel at lower center
position, fuse is in the trunk;
front seatbelts use pretensioners
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Cadillac Seville
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Side impact airbags, sensor located inside lower B-pillar
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Chevrolet Prism LSi
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Front outboard seat mounted airbags (optional ), sensor module in lower
rear corner of front door
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Chevrolet S-10 pickup
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Passenger front airbag cutoff switch;
side-impact airbags;
third door, driver's side
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Chevrolet C/K pickup truck
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Passenger front airbag cutoff switch;
extended cab;
third door, passenger's side
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Chevrolet Venture minivan
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Driver's side sliding door feature;
front outboard seat-mounted side airbags, sensor module located inside;
B-pillar above belt retractor
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Chrysler Concorde
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Full-size sedan, new for 1998
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Dodge Viper
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Dual front airbags
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Dodge Durango
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New sport utility vehicle (SUV) for '98;
largest SUV on market;
optional seating for eight occupants
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Dodge Ram pickup
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Four door "Quad Cab";
passenger side front airbag cutoff switch
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Dodge Dakota pickup
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Extended cab, no third door;
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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Dodge Cargo van
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Passenger side front airbag cutoff switch
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Ford Crown Victoria sedan
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New 'crashworthy' frame for '98
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Ford Contour
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Unique sheet metal panel construction
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Ford Motors
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Deploying Trim System;
side impact protection;
'Safety Cell' structure with cross-car beam through dashboard;
rigid cross-car beam;
one-piece bodyside stamping
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Ford Ranger pickup
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Extended cab, no third door;
dual front airbags;
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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Ford F-Series pickup trucks
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Extended cab;
third door, passenger's side;
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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Ford Windstar minivan
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Longer driver's side door with 'tip & slide' driver's seat feature
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Ford Bronco (SUV)
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Seating capacity for up to nine passengers
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GM OnStar global positioning & communications system
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2 million vehicles; tracks airbag deployment, calls OnStar 911 operators;
888-onstar-7 or online at www.onstar.com
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GMC Sonoma pickup
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extended cab
Third door, driver's side;
side-impact airbag system
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GMC Sierra C/K 1500 series pickup
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Extended cab;
third door, passenger's side;
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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GMC Blazer (SUV)
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Side-impact airbag system
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GMC Jimmy (SUV)
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Dual front airbags;
side-impact airbag system
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GMC Yukon Denali (SUV)
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Full size luxury SUV;
new for '98
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Isuzu Hombre pickup truck
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Extended cab, no third door
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Infiniti I30 & I45
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Anti-theft airbag module bolt;
front outboard seat-mounted side-impact airbags optional;
sensor module located in B-pillar above belt retractor;
front seat belts use pretensioners
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Jaguar XJ-series ( XJR, XJ8, XJ8-L ), Vanden Plas
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Front outboard seat mounted side airbags, sensor module located inside
B-pillar above belt retractor;
front seat belts use pretensioners
Note: Pre-1995 model year vehicles use mechanical airbag activation
system. 1996 and newer model year vehicles use electrical operation
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KIA Sportage sport utility
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Knee bolster air bag "panel" deploys below steering column for protect
driver's knees
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Lexus ES300, LS400, GS300, GS400
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Fuel tank wraps around driveshaft and sits under the rear seat;
front outboard seat mounted air bags, sensor module located in B-pillar
above belt retractor;
front seat belts use pretensioners
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Lexus RX-300
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New SUV for '98;
dual front airbags;
side-impact airbags
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Lincoln Continental & Lincoln Town Car
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Base of windshield moved 5 inches forward;
new stronger frame
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Lincoln Navigator
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Luxury SUV new for '98;
seating capacity for eight occupants
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Mazda B-series pickup truck
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Extended cab;
(four-door cab possible late '98);
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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Mercedes ML320
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New SUV for '98;
body-on-frame construction;
fuel tank wrapped over driveshaft;
door panel mounted front seat side-impact airbags, single point sensor
module in dash behind radio;
SMART front passenger airbag
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Mercedes CLK 320
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2-door coupe;
new for '98;
door panel mounted front seat side-impact airbags, single point sensor
module in dash behind radio;
SMART front passenger airbag
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Mercedes C-class, E-class, CLK, SLK, S320, M-class
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Door panel mounted front seat side-impact airbags, single point sensor
module in dash behind radio;
SMART front passenger airbag;
S-class passenger front airbag off/on switch;
Optional rear seat side impact airbags
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Mitsubuishi Montero
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SUV with seating capacity for eight passengers
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Mercury Sable
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One-piece body side stamping;
rigid cross-car beam
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Mercury Grand Marquis
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New '98 'crashworthy' frame
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Nissan Maxima
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Front outboard seat mounted air bags, sensor location not listed (optional)
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Nissan Altra 4-door wagon
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Lithium-ion battery electric powered car
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Nissan Frontier pickup
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New model for '98;
no extended cab or third door;
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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Oldsmobile Intrigue
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Mid-size sedan new for '98
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Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan
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Front outboard seat-mounted side airbags, sensor module located inside
B-pillar above belt retractor
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Plymouth Viper
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Dual front airbags
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Pontiac Trans Sport minivan
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Front outboard seat-mounted side airbags, sensor module located inside
B-pillar above belt retractor;
power sliding side door on passenger side
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Pontiac Bonneville Eye Cue
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Heads-up display of instrumentation, no instrument panel on dashboard
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Porsche
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Door panel mounted front side impact airbags, single point sensor
module in console
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Porsche Boxster
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Door panel mounted front side impact airbags, sensor module at lower
B-pillar inside sill area;
integrated child safety seat linked to SMART passenger front airbag
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Saturn
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Side impact airbags introduced with 1999 model year vehicles
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Saab 9-5
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Side-impact airbags in driver and passenger front seat;
reinforced body structure
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Second Generation airbag
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(All 1998 makes and models with airbags);
depowered front airbag units
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Subaru
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Side impact airbags introduced with 1999 model year vehicles
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Subaru Forester sedan
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Compact auto, new for '98
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Suzuki Esteem wagon
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New for '98
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Toyota Avalon
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Front outboard seat mounted side airbags, sensor in lower rear corner
of front door
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Toyota Camry
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Front outboard seat mounted side airbags, sensor in lower rear corner
of front door (optional)
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Toyota Corolla
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Front outboard seat mounted side airbags, sensor in lower rear corner
of front door (optional)
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Toyota T100 pickup truck
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Driver's side only airbag;
extended cab, no third door
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Toyota Tacoma
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No extended cab, no third door;
passenger front airbag cutoff switch
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Toyota Sienna XLE minivan
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Dual front airbags;
optional driver's side sliding door;
side-impact airbags optional for driver and passenger
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Toyota Sienna minivan
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Side-impact airbags
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Volkswagon Cabrio, Golf, Jetta, & Passat GLS
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Front outboard seat mounted side airbags, mechanically operated single
point sensor module mounted to floor under front seat
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Volvo S70, S90, V70, V90, C70
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Front outboard seat mounted side airbags, mechanical sensor along lower
seat frame behind seat trim material;
front seat belts use pretensioners;
SMART passenger front airbag
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