Air Bag Systems: Description and Operation

WARNING: Extreme care must be used when servicing the SRS to avoid injury to the service personnel (by inadvertent deployment of the air bags) or the driver (by rendering the SRS inoperative).

The SRS is designed to supplement the front seat belts. It eliminates or reduces the risk or severity of injury to the front passenger(s) by deploying air bag(s) in case of a head-on collision.

Side-airbag systems in the front seats are activated when sideward impacts applied to the vehicle exceed a threshold to protect the occupants' upper bodies.

NOTE: Side-airbag system has been adopted as an optional equipment in all vehicles.

The SRS consist of four air bag modules, SRS air bag control unit (SRS-ECU), two side impact sensors, SRS warning light, and clock spring. Air bags are located in the center of the steering wheel and above the glove box. Side-airbags are located inside the front seatback assemblies. Each air bag is made up of a folded air bag and an inflator unit. The SRS-ECU under the front floor console monitors the system and has a front air bag safing G-sensor, analog G-sensor and a side-airbag safing G-sensor. The side impact sensors inside the center pillars monitor the shock incurred by the sides of the vehicle. The warning light on the instrument panel indicates the operational status of the SRS. The clock spring is installed in the steering column. Only authorized service personnel should do work on or around the SRS components. Those service personnel should read this manual carefully before starting any such work.