Deploying Airbags / Seat Belt Tensioners

The collision safety system is extremely advanced. It is able to adapt airbag deployment and the activation of the seat belt tensioners to suit the specific circumstances of a collision. In general it is extremely unlikely that all airbags and seat belt tensioners will be deployed in the same accident. It is possible that only one airbag or seat belt tensioners is deployed. This is determined by the supplemental restraint system module (SRS) based on the forces that occur during the collision.

1 Stage Deployment 

On model year 1999-2000 cars, the front airbags had 1 stage deployment.

When the supplemental restraint system (SRS) module deploys the airbags, they are deployed at the same rate.

2 Stage Deployment 

From model year 2001, the front airbags have 2 stage deployment.

If the supplemental restraint system (SRS) module deploys the front airbags, both stages will always be activated. By varying the time between the two deployment phases, the deployment of the airbag is more gentle for a low speed collision.