How does the airbag system work?

The SRS consists of the following components:

(1) Driver's front airbag module
(2) Passenger's front airbag module
(3) Side airbag modules
(4) Curtain airbag modules
(5) Rear seat belt pretensioner (if equipped)
(6) Retractor pretensioner assemblies
(7) Airbag warning light
(8) SRS control module (SRSCM)/rollover sensor
(9) Frontal impact sensors
(10) Side impact sensors
(11) Side pressure sensors
(12) Passenger front airbag OFF indicator (front passenger seat only)
(13) Passenger front airbag ON/OFF switch

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

SRS warning light

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

WARNING

If the SRS is malfunctioning, the airbags may not deploy properly in a collision, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

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

• The lamp does not come on for approximately six seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
• The lamp remains on after illuminating for approximately six seconds.
• The lamp comes on while the vehicle is being driven.
• The lamp flashes while the engine is running.

We recommend that you have the SRS inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible if any of these conditions occur.

In a moderate to severe frontal collision, the sensors detect a rapid deceleration of the vehicle. If the deceleration rate is high enough, the control module inflates the front airbags at the correct time and with the necessary force.

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

• The airbags are enabled (ready to inflate 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 injury.
• There is no single speed at which the airbags will deploy. In general, airbags are designed to deploy 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 stiffness of the vehicles or objects your vehicle strikes during a collision. The determining factors are not limited to those mentioned above.
• The front airbags inflate and deflate instantly. It is virtually impossible to see the airbags deploy during an accident. It is much more likely that you will only see deflated airbags hanging from the storage compartments after a collision.
• In addition to deploying in severe side collisions, vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor side airbags and/or curtain airbags will deploy if the sensor system detects a rollover.
  When a rollover is detected, the curtain airbags deploy and remain inflated longer to provide protection against ejection, especially when used together with seat belts. (If equipped with rollover sensor)
• To provide protection, airbags must inflate rapidly. The inflation speed of the airbag is a consequence of the extremely short time in which the airbag must inflate between the occupant and the vehicle structures the occupant impacts. This inflation speed reduces the risk of serious or life-threatening injury and is therefore a necessary part of airbag design.
  However, rapid airbag deployment may also cause injuries, including facial abrasions, bruises and bone fractures, because the inflation speed also causes the airbags to expand with great force.
• There are even circumstances in which contact with an airbag may cause fatal injuries, especially if an occupant is positioned too close to the airbag.
  You can take steps to reduce the risk of injury from an inflating airbag. The greatest risk is sitting too close to the airbag. Space is required for the airbag to inflate. Drivers are advised to sit as far back as possible from the steering wheel while maintaining control of the vehicle, with the center of the steering wheel and the chest kept at a safe distance.

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

During deployment, the tear seams molded directly into the trim covers will separate under the pressure of the expanding airbags. Further opening of the covers allows the airbags to fully deploy.

A fully inflated airbag combined with a properly worn seat belt slows the forward movement of the driver or front passenger, which reduces the risk of chest and head injury.

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