How Does the Airbag System Work?

The SRSCM (Supplemental Restraint System Control Module) 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 deployment.

During a moderate to severe frontal collision, the sensors detect rapid deceleration. If the deceleration rate is high enough, the SRSCM inflates the front airbags with the required force.

The front airbags help protect the driver and front passenger in frontal impacts where 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 torso area.

• The airbags are armed (ready to inflate if necessary) only when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position, and they may remain armed for up to 3 minutes after the engine is turned off.
• The airbags deploy in certain frontal or side collisions to help protect occupants from serious bodily injury.
• There is no single speed at which the airbags will deploy. In general, the airbags are designed to inflate depending on the severity and direction of the collision. Airbag deployment also depends on a number of other factors, including vehicle speed, angle of impact, and the density and stiffness of the vehicles or objects the vehicle strikes in a collision. The determining factors are not limited to those mentioned above.
• The front airbags fully inflate and deflate in an instant. It is practically impossible for you to see the airbags inflate during a collision. It is much more likely that you will only see deflated airbags hanging from their storage compartments after a collision.
• In addition to deploying in a severe frontal collision, vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side and/or curtain airbags also deploy if the sensor system detects a rollover. When a rollover is detected, the curtain airbags remain inflated longer to help provide protection against ejection, 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 necessary because of the extremely short time in which the airbag must inflate between the occupant and 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 bone fractures, because the inflation speed also forces the airbags to expand with great force.
• There are even circumstances in which contact with an airbag can result in fatal injuries, especially when an occupant is positioned excessively close to the airbag.

You can take steps to reduce the risk of injury from airbag deployment. The greatest risk is sitting too close to the airbag. Approximately 10 inches (25 cm) of space is needed for airbag inflation. The NHTSA recommends that drivers maintain 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:

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

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

During deployment, the seam on the cover tears and the cover separates from the airbag.

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

Immediately after full inflation, the airbag begins to deflate, allowing the driver to maintain forward visibility and operate the steering wheel or other controls.

WARNING

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

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