Knee Airbags: Notes

For the U.S. version of the E65, there is a new innovation, the knee airbag.

The knee airbag is installed on the driver and passenger side. In the event of a crash, the knee airbags support the knee, especially if the driver or passenger are not wearing seatbelts.

The location of these airbags produce a controlled forward shift of the upper body, which is cushioned by the conventional driver or passenger airbag.

Fig 1: Identifying Location Of Knee Airbags

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The knee airbag on the driver's side is located below the steering column, it is incorporated into the under-dash trim.

Fig 2: View Of Driver Knee Airbags

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Drivers Knee Airbag 

The knee airbag on the passenger side is located in the lid of the glovebox, beneath a cover. The knee airbag is a one-stage airbag with gas generator. The volume is approx. 16 liters.

Fig 3: View Of Passenger Knee Airbag

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Passenger Knee Airbag 

The airbag module on the driver's side consists of a plastic housing, the gas generator and the airbag. On the passenger side, it consists of a metal housing, the gas generator and the airbag.

For the passenger knee airbag, the glovebox lid is the mounting for the airbag module.