The frontal Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system supplements the protection offered by the driver and front passenger seat belts. The frontal SIR system deploys an air bag from the center of the steering wheel and from the right side of the instrument panel.

The seat belt pretensioners remove slack from the driver and passenger front seat belts during a frontal impact. The frontal SIR system deploys the seat belt pretensioners with the frontal air bags.

A frontal crash of sufficient force up to 30 degrees off the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle will deploy the frontal air bags and the pretensioners. The knee bolsters absorb crash energy. The driver and passenger knee bolsters are below the instrument panel.

The frontal SIR system consists of the following components:

The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil, inflatable restraint steering wheel module, inflatable restraint IP module, seat belt pretensioner - LF, seat belt pretensioner - RF, and the connecting wires make up the frontal deployment loops. The function of the frontal deployment loops is to supply current through the frontal inflator modules and the pretensioners to cause deployment in the event of a mild-to-severe frontal collision. Deployment occurs when the SDM detects vehicle velocity changes severe enough to warrant deployment.

The SDM contains a sensing device (accelerometer) that converts vehicle velocity changes to an electrical signal. The SDM compares this electrical signal to a value stored in memory. When the generated signal exceeds the stored value, the SDM performs additional signal processing and compares the generated signals to values stored in memory. When two of the generated signals exceed the stored values, the SDM will allow current to flow through the frontal inflator modules and the pretensioners causing deployment.

The side impact air bag system supplements the protection offered by the driver door, the front passenger door, and the vehicle structure. The side impact air bag system deploys an air bag from the side of the driver or front passenger seat. A side crash of sufficient force will deploy a side air bag.

The side impact air bag system consists of the following components:

The inflatable restraint side impact sensor (SIS), the inflatable restraint side impact modules, and the connecting wires make up the side impact deployment loops. The function of the side impact deployment loop is to supply current through the side impact inflator module, which will cause deployment of the side impact air bag. Deployment occurs when one of the SIS's detects a side impact severe enough to warrant deployment.

The SIS contains a sensing device (accelerometer) that converts acceleration into an electrical (analog) signal. This signal is converted by a microprocessor in the SIS into acceleration and velocity data. This data is used by a sensing algorithm and compared to various predetermined boundary conditions. When the acceleration value exceeds the predetermined threshold, and the velocity boundary is crossed, the SIS will cause current to flow through the inflatable restraint side impact module - left or the inflatable restraint side impact module - right.

Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)

The SDM performs the following functions in the SIR system:

The SDM connects to the SIR wiring harness using a 28-way and 2 12-way connectors.

The SDM receives power whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or START positions.

Inflatable Restraint Side Impact Sensor (SIS)

The SIS's are crash-sensing devices used in the detection of side impact collisions. The SIS - Left is located in the LH B-pillar. The SIS - Right is located in the RH B-pillar. The SIS's are used to perform the following functions:

The SIS connects to the air bag wiring harness using a 4-way connector.

The SIS receives power via the SDM whenever the ignition switch is in the ON position.

AIR BAG Indicator

The AIR BAG indicator is represented by an icon graphic. Ignition voltage is applied to the AIR BAG indicator when the ignition switch is turned to the START or ON positions. The SDM controls the LED by providing voltage  to the AIR BAG indicator control circuit. The SIR system uses the AIR BAG indicator to do the following:

The AIR BAG indicator is the key to driver notification of SIR system malfunctions.

Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil

The steering wheel module coil consists of 2 or more current-carrying coils. The steering wheel module coil attaches to the steering column. 2 of the current-carrying coils allow rotation of the steering wheel while maintaining continuous contact of the driver deployment loop to the steering wheel module.

There is a shorting bar on the steering wheel module coil connector. The shorting bar shorts the circuits to the steering wheel module coil and steering wheel module during the disconnection of the connector. The shorting of the steering wheel module coil and steering wheel module circuitry will help prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag when servicing the steering column or other SIR system components.

Single Stage Inflator Modules

The inflator modules consist of an inflatable bag and an inflator. An inflator consists of a canister of gas-generating material and an initiating device. The initiator is part of the deployment loop. When the vehicle is in a frontal crash of sufficient force, the SDM causes current to flow through the frontal air bag deployment loops. When the vehicle is in a side impact crash of sufficient force, the SIS causes current to flow through the side impact air bag deployment loops. Current passing through the initiator ignites the material in the inflator module. The gas produced from this reaction rapidly inflates the air bag.

There are shorting bars located on the side impact module connectors, the seat belt pretensioner connectors, and the SDM connectors. The shorting bars will short across the deployment loop circuits during the disconnection of the connector. The shorting of the circuitry will help prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag or pretensioner when servicing the vehicle.

Dual Stage Inflator Modules

The inflator modules consist of an inflatable bag and an inflator. An inflator consists of a canister of gas-generating material and an two initiating devices. The two initiators are part of the deployment loop. When the vehicle is in a frontal crash of sufficient force, the SDM causes current to flow through the frontal air bag deployment loops. The inflator modules have two stages of deployment, which varies the amount of restraint to the occupant according to the collision severity. For moderate frontal collisions the inflator modules deploy at less than full deployment (low deployment) which consists of stage 1 of the inflator module. For more severe frontal collisions a full deployment is initiated which consists of stage 1 and stage 2 of the inflator module. Current passing through the initiators ignites the material in the inflator module. The gas produced from this reaction rapidly inflates the air bag.

There are shorting bars located on the steering wheel module connector, the IP module connector, and the SDM connectors. The shorting bars will short across the deployment loop circuits during the disconnection of the connector. The shorting of the circuitry will help prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag or pretensioner when servicing the vehicle.

Seat Belt Pretensioners

The seat belt pretensioner assembly consists of the following components:

When the vehicle is in a frontal crash of sufficient force, the SDM causes current to flow through the frontal air bag deployment loops and the pretensioner deployment loops. Current passing through the initiator ignites the material in the pretensioner gas generator. The gas produced from this reaction rapidly shortens the seat belt buckle height. The seat belt pretensioners will deploy immediately before the frontal air bags deploy in the event of a mild-to-severe frontal collision.

Steering Column

The steering column is energy absorbing. The steering column can compress during a frontal crash in order to decrease the chance of injury to the driver.

Knee Bolster

The knee bolsters absorb energy and control the forward movement of the vehicle's front seat occupants during a frontal crash, by limiting leg movement.