Passive Safety Systems: Introduction: Notes

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PASSIVE SAFETY is a multifaceted concept that deals with the protection of the driver and passengers of the vehicle and minimizing the damage to the vehicle once it is involved in a collision.

The foundation for the passive safety of the vehicle is the passenger cell which retains a stable shape when the vehicle is involved in an accident. This, coupled with the door anchoring system and crumple zones, serves to provide the best protection possible for the vehicle's occupants.

The use of the passenger restraint (three point seat belts) systems and airbags further enhance this safety cage concept providing the driver and passengers with additional protection during impacts or collisions.

BMW introduced the driver's side air bag in 1985 on the E23 7-Series. The E24 received the driver's side airbag in 1986. The Driver's airbag continued with the introduction of the E32 7-Series introduced in Model Year 1988.

The Driver's side airbag was made standard equipment on all models starting with the 1990 model year. The passenger's front airbag was added to the 7 and 8 Series vehicles beginning with model year 1993.

The Central "Airbag" system ZAE was introduced in model year 1994 on the 3, 5 and 8 Series vehicles. This system carried over to the E38 7 series with its introduction

The "Multiple Restraint System" MRS was introduced on the 1997 model year E39 and E38s as of 3/96 production. The MRS II followed beginning with 5/97 production E38s