Air Bag Systems: Service and Repair

Cleaning after an airbag has deployed

NOTE: A car with a deployed airbag MUST BE TOWED AWAY from the scene. It MUST NOT BE DRIVEN! DO NOT PACK THE AIRBAG back into the module. Cars with four wheel drive must not be towed with only one of the axles off the ground.

General decontamination instructions
When the airbag is deployed powder is spread throughout the car. The chemical reaction that creates the gas can also produce certain by-products such as calcium chloride - a harmless salt.

When handling the powder:

Use the following protective equipment when decontaminating a car with a deployed airbag:
1. Gloves
2. Protective goggles
3. Overalls
4. Face mask.

Long term exposure to the powder (without the above protection) can cause the following symptoms:







Decontamination methods







- Vacuum carefully.







- Open all the ventilation vents fully
- Run the blower fan at full speed
- Turn the function selector so that all ducts are blown through for at least 5 minutes.







- Vacuum carefully again
- Wash glass and plastic surfaces using soap and water.

Cars with sun roofs
Clean the apron molding thoroughly by opening and closing the sun roof.