Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual: Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 45 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall
Fig. 46 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 (31 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 (19 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (31 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. 44 Warning lamp in the instrument
cluster
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Lights up or flashes
Possible cause
Solution ...
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts
Fig. 47 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards
Fig. 48 The unbelted rear passenger is
thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety ...
Other materials:
Winter Tires with Speed Symbol V
Table. Refer to
→ Anchor.
The tire industry delivers winter tires with V-rating also.
These tires can be applied up to the maximum permissible speed vmax
= 240 km/h (149.13 mph) only under certain conditions.
...
Cleaning and changing windscreen wiper blades
Fig. 142 Variants A and B: Changing the
windscreen wiper blades. Variants B and C: Changing the rear window wiper blade
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warningsThe factory-fitted windscreen/window wiper blades are
coated with graphite. The graphite coating ens ...
Catalytic converter
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warningsThe catalytic converter is used for exhaust gas post-treatment
and helps to reduce exhaust emissions. To help ensure long-term functionality in
the exhaust system and the catalytic converter:
Use unleaded petrol only.
...
