Description & Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Nissan Altima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components.

The purpose of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), or air bag system, is to work in conjunction with the 3-point seat belt system to reduce the risk of serious injury to the front seat passengers, during certain frontal or lateral collisions.

The main components of the air bag system are the dual-stage driver-side and passenger-side air bag modules, side impact air bag modules, curtain (head impact) air bag modules, side impact (satellite) sensors, front seat belt pretensioners, diagnosis sensor unit, crash zone sensor and spiral cable. The diagnosis sensor unit monitors air bag system operation and records fault messages when a system malfunction is detected. Diagnosis sensor unit will also maintain a voltage reserve for SRS deployment for approximately 3 minutes after loss of battery voltage.