Air Bag Module

Driver's air bag module is located in center of steering wheel. Passenger's air bag module is located under decorative cover of instrument panel facing the front passenger seat. Air bag module inflator assembly produces nitrogen gas to fill air bag(s). When an electrical current from the ACM capacitor is applied to module's ignitor assembly, ignitor starts a thermal reaction that spreads through a pellet-filled area to produce nitrogen gas. Ignitor assembly is referred to as a squib.

Gas pressure builds and discharges from module's inflator through a diffuser and screen assembly, forcing air bag module covers to burst along perforated seams and fully inflate air bags. Once air bags are full (within milliseconds), gas escapes from air bags through vents that are directed away from driver and passenger.