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• Instrument Panel
• Seat Belt Readiness Light
• Interconnecting Wiring
• Knee Impact Bolster
The side airbag system, on vehicles equipped,
consists of the following:
• AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front
airbag system)
• Side Airbag in the driver's seat
• Side Airbag in the passenger's seat
• Side Airbag Control Module (with integrated
impact sensor)
• Interconnecting Wiring
How The Front Airbag System Works
• The front airbag control module determines if a
frontal impact is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. Based on the level of collision
severity, the front control module determines
the proper rate of inflation. The front airbag
inflators are designed to provide different rates
of airbag inflation. The front airbag control
module will not detect side, roll over, or rear
collisions.
The airbag control module also monitors the
readiness of the electronic parts of the system
whenever the ignition switch is in the START or
ON positions. These include all of the items
listed above except the knee bolster, instru-
ment panel and the steering wheel and column.
If the key is in the OFF position, in the ACC
position, or not in the ignition switch, the front
airbags are not on and will not inflate.
The front airbag control module
sends a message to the instrument
cluster to turn on the AIRBAG light in
the instrument panel for 6 to 8 sec-
onds when the ignition switch is first
turned ON, then turns the light off. If
the front or side airbag control modules detect a
malfunction in any part of the system, the airbag
light will turn on either momentarily or continu-
ously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument
panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not
come on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or
if it comes on as you drive, have the airbag
system checked right away.
• When the front airbag control module detects a
collision requiring the front airbags, it signals
the inflator units. A large quantity of nontoxic
gas is generated to inflate the front airbags.
Different airbag inflation rates are possible
based on collision severity. These rates are
determined by the front airbag control module
based on collision severity. The front airbag
covers separate and fold out of the way as the
airbags inflate to their full size. The front airbags
fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is only
about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. The airbags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passen-
ger. The driver's and passenger's front airbag
gas is vented through the airbag material to-
wards the instrument panel. In this way the
airbags do not interfere with your control of the
vehicle.
• The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the
knees and position you for the best interaction
with the front airbags.
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