Passive Restraints- Supplemental Air Bag System

The Supplemental Air Bag Restraint System (SRS) helps to reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver in a frontal collision. The SRS consists of: Driver side air bag module. Center radiator primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket. Center console primary crash/safing front air bag sensor and bracket. Air bag diagnostic monitor. Wiring harness. Air bag sliding contact. Air bag warning indicator.

The driver side air bag module is located on the steering wheel. The following four steps show how the SRS works:

1. The sensors in the vehicle detect a severe frontal impact with the ignition switch in the ON or START position. When the center primary crash front air bag sensor or the center console primary crash front air bag sensor and the center console primary safing front air bag sensor close at the same time, electric 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 steering wheel 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 at once. See component location for visual assistance.