Description & Operation: Notes

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

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is designed to provide increased accident protection for driver and passenger by deploying air bags in a front-end collision. The air bags, stored in center of steering wheel and in instrument panel above glove box, deploy in about 40 milliseconds after impact sensors close. SRS is designed to be used with 3-point safety belts.

During a front-end collision of sufficient force, both a front impact sensor and a safing sensor will activate simultaneously to inflate air bag. When a front impact sensor and safing sensor are closed at same time, electrical current will flow, igniting the driver-side and passenger-side air bag module.

SRS includes following components: diagnostic monitor, driver-side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, AIR BAG warning light, right and left front impact sensor, safing sensor, ignitor assemblies (in air bag modules), clockspring (also known as sliding contact) and associated wiring harnesses. See Fig 1 .

Fig 1: Locating Restraint System Components

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.