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Knee Airbags

The knee airbags on the driver's side and front-passenger side are designed to control the forward movement of the occupant in the event of a head-on impact.

In the event of a collision in which the driver or front passenger are not wearing seat belts, the knee airbag provides support to protect the knees. This initiates a controlled forward displacement of the upper body, which is cushioned by the deployment on the corresponding airbag.

A knee airbag on the driver and front passenger side are standard equipment for the F01/F02.

The knee airbag is designed as a single-stage airbag with inflator assembly. The volume is approximately 20 liters/5.2 Gallons.

The gas generator is triggered in the event of a crash of sufficient severity and the resulting gas fills the airbag.

When occupant's knees make contact with the airbag, the load is distributed over the area of the airbag, thus supporting the occupant.

The knee support results in a controlled forward displacement of the upper body that is taken up and absorbed by the airbag.

The knee airbag on the driver's side is located below the steering column in the footwell trim while the knee airbag on the passenger side is located in the footwell trim.

Fig 1: Identifying F01/F02 Driver's Side Knee Airbag
G06925598Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Fig 2: Identifying Knee Airbag Operation
G06925599Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: The driver and front passenger knee airbags are also triggered by occupants wearing seat belts, though at a higher crash severity than if the seat belts are not fastened.
Fig 3: Identifying F01/F02 Passengers Side Knee Airbag
G06925600Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.