Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 59 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall
Fig. 60 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively simple. As soon as the vehicle is in motion  , both the moving vehicle and its passengers gain kinetic energy.
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of energy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from approximately 25 km/h (15 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), for example, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of energy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connected to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will only be released at the point of impact against the wall  .
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), the forces acting on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kg). These forces are even greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions.
Warning lamp
Fig. 57 Warning lamp in the instrument
cluster
Fig. 58 Seat belt status for the rear seats
in the instrument cluster
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings†...
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts
Fig. 61 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards
Fig. 62 The unbelted rear passenger is
thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety ...
Other materials:
Safety precautions for working on vehicles with auxiliary/supplementary
heater
Danger of fire and explosion from auxiliary/supplementary heater
In fire and explosion-endangered areas a spark or the high
temperature of the auxiliary/supplementary heater can cause a fire or an
explosion. Burn injuries are also possible.
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Swit ...
Wax-based underseal -D 316 D38 A2
Designation:
Wax-based underseal -D 316 D38 A2-
Issued 04.2009
Product description
Wax underseal -D 316 D38 A2- is a solution of an
anti-corrosion agent based on wax and lano ...
Safety precautions when working on the cooling system
Risk of scalding by hot coolant
When the engine is warm, the cooling system is under pressure.
Danger of scalding due to steam and hot coolant.
–
Always wear safety gloves.
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Always wear safety goggles.
– ...
