Driver-Side Air Bag Module

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2000 Mercury Sable and 2000 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The driver-side air bag module (soft pack) is mounted on the steering wheel and covered by steering wheel trim cover. It is a dual-stage design, deploying at one of two different rates depending on crash severity, seat belt usage, and driver seat position.

When sensors close, signaling an impact, ignitor triggers inflator. During ignition, combustion of potassium nitrate gas generant produces nitrogen gas, which inflates air bag. When air bag deploys, tear-seams molded into steering wheel trim cover separate, allowing inflation of air bag module.

If driver-side air bag has deployed, air bag module (soft pack) and steering wheel must be replaced as an assembly. Otherwise, air bag module (soft pack) and steering wheel may be serviced separately.