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.
Air Bag Module
The air bag module is mounted on front face of steering wheel. See Fig 1 . The module's inflator assembly produces nitrogen gas to fill air bag. When a small amount of current from ASDM is applied, the ignitor assembly (also known as squib or initiator) starts a thermal reaction that spreads an ignitor charge. See Figure .
Surrounding the ignitor charge is a pellet-filled area, which produces nitrogen gas. Gas pressure builds and discharges from inflator through a diffuser and screen assembly, forcing steering wheel cover to burst along its seams until air bag is fully inflated. Once air bag is inflated, gas escapes from air bag through vents, away from driver.
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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.