General Description

Description
The Supplemental Air Bag Restraint System (SRS) is designed to provide increased collision protection IN ADDITION TO that provided by the three-point safety belt system. Safety belt use is necessary to obtain the best occupant protection and to receive the full advantages of the supplemental air bag. FORD RECOMMENDS THE USE OF SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS FOR ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

The Supplemental Air Bag Restraint System (SRS) consists of:
- Electrical system
- Driver and passenger side air bag module
- Sensors (crash and safing)
- Air bag diagnostic monitor
- Air bag indicator
- Tone generator (internal to the air bag diagnostic monitor)

System Operation

These four steps show how the SRS works:

NOTE: Steps 1, 2 and 3 take place in a fraction of a second.

1. The sensors in the vehicle detect a severe frontal impact. When at least one crash sensor and the safing sensor close at the same time, electric current flows to the inflator and ignites the chemicals.
2. The chemicals then rapidly burn in the metal container. The rapid burning produces nitrogen gas and small amounts of dust. The nitrogen gas and dust are cooled and filtered during inflation of the air bag.
3. The inflating air bags split open the trim covers. The air bags then rapidly unfold and inflate in front of the driver and passenger.
4. After inflation, the gas empties through holes in the air bag. The air bag deflates at once.