General Description

PURPOSE
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag is designed to provide increased collision protection for the front seat occupants in addition to that provided by the three point safety belt system.

Safety belt use is necessary to obtain the best occupant protection and to receive the full advantages of the supplemental air bag restraint system. Ford recommends the use of safety belt systems for all vehicle occupants. Refer to Seat Belts / Description and Operation for information on the safety belt system.

OPERATION
The following steps show how the SRS functions.

NOTE: Steps 1-3 take place in a fraction of a second.

1. The sensors in the vehicle detect a severe frontal impact. When a center air bag sensor or RH cowl side air bag sensor and the LH cowl side air bag sensor are closed at the same time, electrical current flows to the inflator and ignites the chemicals.
2. The chemicals then rapidly burn in the metal container. The rapid burning produces nitrogen gas and small amounts of dust. The nitrogen gas and dust are cooled and filtered during inflation of the air bag.
3. The inflating air bag splits open the trim cover. The air bag then rapidly unfolds and inflates in front of the driver.
4. After inflation, the gas empties through holes in the air bag. The air bag deflates very rapidly.

DESCRIPTION
The supplemental air bag restraint electrical system consists of:
- Driver side air bag module
- Passenger side air bag module
- Air bag sliding contact
- Front air bag sensor and bracket, LH fender primary crash
- Front air bag sensor and bracket, RH fender primary crash
- Safing sensor and bracket
- Air bag diagnostic monitor
- Air bag indicator