How does the airbag system work?

The SRS consists of the following components:

(1) Driver's front airbag module / Driver's knee airbag module
(2) Passenger's front airbag module
(3) Side airbag modules / Side impact sensors
(4) Curtain airbag modules
(5) Rear seat belt pretensioner
(6) Seat belt retractor assemblies
(7) Airbag warning lamp
(8) SRS control module (SRSCM) / Rollover sensor
(9) Frontal impact sensors
(10) Side pressure sensors
(11) Passenger front airbag ON/OFF indicator
(12) Passenger front airbag ON/OFF switch

The SRSCM constantly monitors all SRS components while the ignition switch is ON to determine whether a malfunction has occurred or whether an impact is severe enough to require airbag deployment or seat belt pretensioner deployment.

SRS warning light

The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbag warning lamp on the instrument panel shows the airbag symbol shown in the illustration. The system checks the electrical part of the airbag system for malfunctions. The lamp indicates that there is a potential problem with your airbag system, which may affect your side and/or curtain airbags used for rollover protection (if equipped with a rollover sensor).

WARNING

If your SRS is malfunctioning, the airbag may not deploy properly during a crash, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

If any of the following conditions occur, your SRS is malfunctioning:

• The lamp does not illuminate for approximately six seconds when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
• The light remains on after illuminating for approximately six seconds.
• The light comes on while the vehicle is in motion.
• The light flashes while the engine is running.

HYUNDAI recommends that an authorized HYUNDAI repairer inspect the SRS as soon as possible if any of these conditions occur.

During a moderate to severe frontal collision, the sensors detect rapid deceleration. If the deceleration is high enough, the control module inflates the front airbags at the required time and with the required force.

The front airbags help protect the driver and front passenger in frontal collisions in which the seat belts alone cannot provide adequate restraint. When necessary, the side airbags help provide protection in a side impact or rollover by supporting the upper body.

• The airbags are active (capable of inflating if necessary) only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
• The airbags deploy in certain frontal or side collisions to help protect occupants from serious personal injury.
• There is no single speed at which the airbags will deploy. In general, airbags are designed to inflate depending on the severity and direction of the collision. These two factors determine whether the sensors send an electronic deployment/inflation signal.
• Airbag deployment depends on a number of factors, including vehicle speed, impact angles, and the density and rigidity of the vehicles or objects your vehicle strikes during a collision. The determining factors are not limited to those mentioned above.
• Front airbags fully inflate and deflate in an instant. It is virtually impossible to see the airbags deploy in a crash. It is much more likely that you will only see deflated airbags hanging out of their storage compartments after a collision.
• In addition to inflating in severe side collisions, vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor will deploy the side and/or curtain airbags if the system detects a rollover. When a rollover is detected, the curtain airbags remain inflated longer to help provide ejection protection, especially when used together with seat belts. (if equipped with a rollover sensor)
• To provide protection, airbags must inflate rapidly. The speed of airbag deployment is the result of the extremely short time needed to inflate the airbag between the occupant and vehicle structures before the occupant contacts those structures. This inflation speed reduces the risk of serious or fatal injury and is therefore a necessary part of airbag design. However, the rapid deployment of an airbag can also cause injuries, which may include abrasions to the face, bruises, and broken bones, because the inflation speed also causes the airbag to expand with considerable force.
• There are even circumstances in which contact with an airbag can cause fatal injuries, especially if an occupant is positioned too close to the airbag.

You can take steps to reduce the risk of being injured by an inflating airbag. The greatest risk is sitting too close to the airbag. The airbag needs space to inflate. Drivers are recommended to sit as far back as possible from the steering wheel center pad and chest while still maintaining control of the vehicle.

When the SRSCM detects a sufficiently severe impact to the front of the vehicle, it will automatically deploy the front air bags.

When deployed, tear seams form directly in the covers. The covers separate under the pressure of the expanding air bags. Then the opening of the covers allows the air bags to fully inflate.

A fully inflated airbag combined with a properly fastened seat belt slows the forward movement of the driver or front passenger, reducing the risk of head and chest injuries.

After full deployment, the air bag begins to deflate immediately, allowing the driver to maintain forward visibility and the ability to steer or operate other controls.

WARNING

To prevent objects from becoming dangerous projectiles when the passenger airbag deploys:

• Do not install or place objects (cup holder, CD holder, stickers, etc.) on the front passenger panel above the glove box, where the passenger airbag is located.
• Do not install a container of liquid air freshener near the instrument cluster or on the surface of the instrument panel.