How does the airbag system work?

The SRS consists of the following components:

1. Driver Front Airbag Module

2. Passenger Front Airbag Module

3. Side Airbag Modules

4. Curtain Airbag Modules

5. Seat Belt Pretensioner Assemblies

6. Airbag Warning Light

7. SRS Control Module (SRSCM)/Rollover Sensor

8. Front Impact Sensors

9. Side Impact Sensors

10. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF Indicator

11. Occupant Classification System

12. Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Buckle Switches

13. Anchor Pretensioner Assembly

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

SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Airbag Warning Light on the Instrument Panel. The light displays the airbag symbol shown in the illustration. The system checks the electrical airbag system for malfunctions. The light indicates a potential problem with your airbag system, which may include your side airbags and curtain airbags used for rollover protection.

WARNING

If the SRS is malfunctioning, the airbag may not deploy properly in a crash, which increases the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH. Your SRS is malfunctioning if any of the following conditions occur:

• The light 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 light flashes while the engine is running. Have the SRS system 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 the vehicle's rapid deceleration. If the deceleration rate is high enough, the control module deploys the front airbags.

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.
• Airbags deploy in a severe frontal or side collision 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 almost instantly. It is practically impossible to see the airbags inflate during a crash. It is far more likely that you will only see the deflated airbags hanging out of their storage compartments after a collision.
• In addition to deploying in severe side collisions, vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags, and curtain airbags will deploy if the sensor system detects a rollover. When a rollover is detected, the side airbags and curtain airbags remain inflated longer to provide protection against ejection, especially when used together with seat belts.
• To provide protection, airbags must deploy very quickly. The deployment speed is a result of the extremely short time in which the airbag must inflate between the occupant and the vehicle structures before the occupant contacts those structures. This inflation speed reduces the risk of serious or life-threatening injuries and is therefore a necessary part of airbag design. However, rapid airbag deployment can also cause injuries, including: facial abrasions, bruises and broken bones, because the inflation speed also causes the airbags to expand with great force.
• There are even circumstances in which contact with an airbag can result in fatal injuries, especially if the occupant is positioned too close to the airbag.

You can take steps to reduce the risk of injury from an airbag deployment. The greatest risk is sitting too close to the airbag. About 10 inches (25 cm) of space is needed for the airbag to inflate. NHTSA recommends that drivers allow at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the center of the steering wheel and the chest.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death from airbag deployment, observe the following precautions:

• NEVER install a child restraint on the front passenger seat. Always properly restrain children under 13 years of age in the rear seats of the vehicle.
• Adjust the driver and front passenger seats as far back as possible while still maintaining full control of the vehicle.
• Hold the steering wheel with your hands at the "9 o'clock" and "3 o'clock" positions.
• Never place anything or anyone between the airbag and the seated occupant.
• Do not allow the front passenger to place their feet on the instrument panel.

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

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.