Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Description & Operation
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is designed to protect driver and front passenger by activating when vehicle receives a sufficient front-end impact. System includes driver-side air bag, passenger-side air bag, driver and front passenger side-impact air bags, side-impact sensors, front seat belt tensioners, SRS unit (with internal safing and impact sensors) and cable reel. See Figure.
The main circuit in SRS unit senses and judges force of impact and, if necessary, ignites inflator charges in air bag assemblies, causing air bags to inflate. If battery voltage is too low or power is disconnected due to impact, voltage regulator and back-up power circuit keeps voltage at a constant level.
During a frontal collision, SRS unit activates driver-side and passenger-side seat belt tensioners, causing them to instantly and firmly retract seat belts. This increases seat belt effectiveness.
Side-impact air bags are located in each front seatback. Side-impact air bags are designed to deploy when a moderate to severe side impact occurs. Passenger side-impact air bag also includes an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). This system contains sensors and a control unit, located in passenger's seatback, to determine passenger seats occupant height and position. If OPDS control unit determines passenger seats occupant head is in deployment path of side-impact air bag, side-impact air bag will be disabled. If passenger side-impact air bag is disabled, SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG indicator light will come on. If passenger seatback is replaced, OPDS control unit must be initialized. See INITIALIZING OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) UNIT under DIAGNOSTICS.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.