Seating and Safety Restraints 91
How Does the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System Work?
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sus-
tains a longitudinal deceleration sufficient to cause the air bag
sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates air bag infla-
tion. The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does
not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it
means the forces were not sufficient enough to cause activa-
tion. Air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and near-frontal
collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless the
collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.
The air bags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After
air bag deployment, it is normal to notice a smoke-like, pow-
dery residue and smell the burnt propellant. This may consist
of cornstarch, talcum powder or sodium compounds which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but none of the residue is toxic.
While the SRS is designed to help reduce serious injuries, con-
tact with a deploying air bag may also cause abrasions, swell-
ing or temporary hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate
rapidly and with considerable force, there is the risk of death
or serious injuries such as fractures, facial and eye injuries or
internal injuries, particularly to occupants who are not prop-
erly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of
air bag deployment. It is extremely important that occupants
be properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as
possible while maintaining vehicle control.
The SRS consists of:
• Driver air bag module (which includes the inflator and air
bag)
• One or more impact sensors
• Safety belt pretensioners
• A readiness indicator light and chime
• A diagnostic module
• And the electrical wiring which connects the components
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and
the supplemental air bag electrical system wiring (including
the impact sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system read-
iness light, the air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Do not touch the air bag system components after inflation.
REASON: Several air bag system components get hot
after inflation and could cause serious bodily injury.
If the air bag has deployed, the air bag will not function again
and must be replaced immediately.
REASON: Failure to replace the air bag will increase the
risk of serious bodily injury or death in a collision.
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