Supplemental Restraint System - Honda 1996 Civic Coupe Owner's Manual

Supplemental Restraint System

Your car is equipped with a Supple-
mental Restraint System (SRS) to
help protect the head and chest of
the driver and front seat passenger
during a severe frontal collision.
This system does not replace your seat
belts. It supplements, or adds to, the
protection offered by seat belts and
other occupant protection features.
Not wearing seat belts
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
if you have airbags.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
Driver and Passenger Safety
SRS Components
Your supplemental restraint system
includes:
One airbag in the steering wheel
for the driver and another in the
dashboard for the front passenger.
Sensors that can detect a severe
frontal collision.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors the
sensors, control unit, airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II).
An indicator light on the instru-
ment panel to alert you to a possi-
ble problem with the system.
Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
What Happens In a Crash
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the sensors will detect
rapid deceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the
airbags.
During a crash, your seat belts will
help to restrain your lower body and
torso. The airbags will provide a
cushion to absorb crash energy and
help keep the head and chest of the
driver and front passenger from
striking the interior of the car.
After inflating, the airbags will
immediately deflate. The entire
process, from detection to deflation,
takes a fraction of a second. This
process occurs so quickly that you
may not hear the loud noise created
by the airbag inflators, or realize
what has happened.