Driver Side Air Bag Module

CAUTION: The driver side air bag module is serviced as a complete assembly.

The driver side air bag module is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The driver side air bag module consists of the following components:
- Inflator.
- Airbag.
- Mounting plate and retainer ring.
- Steering wheel trim cover.

Inflator
- When the sensors close, signaling a crash, electrical energy flows to the air bag inflator.
- Inside the inflator, an igniter converts the electrical signal to thermal energy (heat), causing the ignition of the inflator gas generant.
- This ignition reaction combusts the sodium azide/potassium nitrate gas generant in the inflator, producing nitrogen gas, which inflates the air bag.
- The inflator is not serviceable.

Air Bag
The driver side air bag:
- Is constructed of neoprene-coated nylon.
- Is 711 mm (28 inches) in diameter.
- Fills to a volume of about 0.065 cubic meters (2.3 cubic feet) in approximately 40 milliseconds.
- It is not a serviceable item.

Mounting Plate and Retainer Ring
The mounting plate and retainer ring:
- Attach and seal the air bag assembly to the inflator.
- Also attach the trim cover and mount the entire driver side air bag module to the steering wheel.
- Are components of the driver side air bag module and cannot be serviced.

Steering Wheel Trim Cover
The steering wheel trim cover:
- Encases driver side air bag module.
- Has tear seams moulded into the steering wheel trim cover that separate to allow inflation of the bag.
- Is a component of the driver side air bag module and is not serviceable.