What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbags modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows that have occupant seating positions.

    See also:

    Engine Power Messages
    ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED This message displays and a chime sounds when the cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters the engine coolant protection mode. See Engine Over ...

    Exterior
    Styling of the DTS is "more architectural and linear," said Gary Cowger, former president of General Motors North America, during its initial appearance. The new model's styling evokes C ...

    DIC Buttons
    A. SET/CLR (Set/Clear): Use this button to set or clear the menu item when it is displayed. B. (Thumbwheel): Use the thumbwheel to scroll through the items in each menu. A small marker wil ...