Airbag System Operation

The SRS system 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. Pretensioners with retractor
6. SRS warning lamp
7. SRS control module/rollover sensor (if equipped)
8. Front impact sensors
9. Side impact sensors
10. Side impact sensors
11. Driver's and front passenger's seat belt sensors (if applicable)
12. Front passenger airbag ON/OFF switch (if equipped)

SRS indicator

When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the SRS warning lamp on the instrument panel illuminates for approximately 6 seconds, then goes off.

WARNING

If your SRS system is malfunctioning, the airbag may not deploy properly in a collision, increasing the risk of serious or fatal injury.

The following conditions indicate a malfunction in your SRS system:

• The warning lamp does not illuminate for approximately 6 seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
• The warning lamp remains illuminated for more than 6 seconds.
• The warning lamp illuminates while the vehicle is being driven.
• The warning lamp flashes while the engine is running. If you encounter any of these situations, we recommend that your SRS system be serviced as soon as possible by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

In a frontal collision, the sensors detect the deceleration of the vehicle. If the deceleration rate is high enough, the control module deploys the front airbags when necessary and with the appropriate force.

The front airbags help protect the driver and front passenger in frontal impacts in which the seat belts alone cannot provide sufficient protection. When necessary, the side airbags provide protection in the event of a side impact.

• The airbags are active (may deploy if necessary) only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
• The airbags deploy in certain frontal or near-frontal impacts to help protect occupants from serious injury.
• There is no single deployment threshold for airbags. 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 signal.
• Airbag deployment depends on various factors, such as vehicle speed, impact angle, density and stiffness of the vehicle or objects striking your vehicle (this list is not comprehensive).
• Front airbags inflate and deflate instantly. It is practically impossible to see the airbags deploy during an accident. It is very likely that you will only see them deflated and removed from their compartment after an accident.
• To be effective, airbags must deploy quickly. Airbag deployment is very fast because the collision occurs over a very short time, and the airbag must inflate before the occupant strikes the vehicle structure. The deployment speed reduces the risk of serious or fatal injury. Therefore, it is an important part of the airbag design.
  However, such a deployment speed may cause injuries, in particular abrasions to the face, bruises and bone fractures, because it is accompanied by great force.
• In some cases, contact with a deploying airbag can even cause fatal injury, especially if the occupant is sitting too close to it.

You can take steps to reduce the risk of injury from airbag deployment. The greatest danger is sitting too close to the airbag. Space is required for airbag deployment. It is recommended that the driver sit so that they can control the vehicle while maintaining the greatest possible distance between the center of the steering wheel and their chest.

Driver's front airbag (1)

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

Driver's front airbag (2)

Under the pressure generated when the airbag deploys, the main tear seams cast directly into the separate compartments break open. Opening of the compartments then allows the airbag to fully deploy.

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

Driver's front airbag (3)

Front passenger airbag

After full deployment, the airbag begins to deflate immediately, allowing the driver to maintain a certain field of view and turn the steering wheel or perform other operations.

WARNING

To prevent objects from becoming dangerous projectiles in the event of passenger airbag deployment:

• Do not place any objects (cup holder, CD holder, panel located above the glove box where the passenger airbag is located) on the area above the passenger airbag.
• Do not install liquid air fresheners near the instrument cluster or on the surface of the instrument panel.