Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 1998 BMW Z3, 1998 BMW M3, 1998 BMW M Roadster, 1998 BMW 328is, and 1998 BMW 328i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully follow all WARNINGS and SERVICE PRECAUTIONS .

The main components of Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) include a driver-side air bag module (located in center of steering wheel), passenger side air bag module (located inside dash, above glove box), side impact air bags (located behind right and left front door trim panels), electronic SRS control unit, contact ring, energy capacitor/voltage transformer (integrated into SRS control unit), SRS warning light, driver-side knee bolster mounted under steering column, seat belt contacts and seat occupancy module. For SRS to operate properly, 3-point seat belts must be worn.

When SRS control unit senses an impact, it transmits a voltage signal to gas generator pellets in air bag modules. The voltage signal ignites gas generator pellets to produce a quantity of non-toxic nitrogen gas.

In the air bag modules, the nitrogen gas passes through a tiny filter to fill and deploy the air bags in about 30 milliseconds. After the air bags inflate to maximum expansion, the nitrogen gas is released away from driver through 2 ventilation holes in rear of air bag. The air bag inflation and collapse sequence takes about 30-35 milliseconds.