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: Notes
The main components of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) include an air bag/gas generator module, mounted to steering wheel; contact reel (clockspring), mounted in steering column; crash sensor and standby power unit, mounted under driver's seat; and SRS warning light, mounted in instrument panel light bar.
If vehicle's deceleration recorded by crash sensor is sufficiently high, crash sensor delivers a voltage charge triggering gas generator. Gas generator then produces a quantity of non-toxic nitrogen, which fills air bag in a few hundredths of a second. Immediately after air bag inflates, gas is released through a ventilation hole on rear of air bag module, causing air bag to collapse. The entire sequence of air bag inflation and collapse takes about 0.2 seconds.
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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.