Hyundai Tucson: How does the air bags system operate?
The SRS consists of the following components:
- Driver's front air bag module
- Passenger's front air bag module
- Side air bag modules
- Curtain air bag modules
- Retractor pre-tensioner
- Air bag warning light
- SRS control module (SRSCM)/ Rollover sensor
- Front impact sensors
- Side impact sensors
- Side pressure sensors
- Emergency fastening device system
- Occupant classification system
- Seat belt buckle sensor
The SRSCM continually monitors all SRS components while the ignition switch is ON to determine if a crash impact is severe enough to require air bag deployment or pre-tensioner seat belt deployment.
SRS warning light
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) air bag warning light on the instrument panel displays the air bag symbol depicted in the illustration. The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions. The light indicates that there is a potential problem with your air bag system, which could include your side and/or curtain air bags used for rollover protection (if equipped with rollover sensor).
WARNING
If your SRS malfunctions, the air bag may not inflate properly during an accident increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
If any of the following conditions occur, your SRS is malfunctioning:
The light does not turn on for approximately three to six seconds when the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON position.
- The light stays on after illuminating for approximately three to six seconds.
- The light comes on while the vehicle is in motion.
- The light blinks when the engine is running.
We recommend that an authorized HYUNDAI dealer inspect the SRS as soon as possible if any of these conditions occur.
During a moderate to severe frontal collision, sensors will detect the vehicle's rapid deceleration. If the rate of deceleration is high enough, the control unit will inflate the front air bags, at the time and with the force needed.
The front air bags help protect the driver and front passenger by responding to frontal impacts in which seat belts alone cannot provide adequate restraint. When needed, the side air bags help provide protection in the event of a side impact or rollover by supporting the side upper body area.
- Air bags are activated (able to inflate if necessary) only when the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON or START position, and it can be activated within about 3 minutes after the engine is turned off.
- Air bags inflate in the event of certain frontal or side collisions to help protect the occupants from serious physical injury.
- There is no single speed at which the
air bags will inflate. Generally, air bags
are designed to inflate based upon the
severity of a collision and its direction.
These two factors determine whether the sensors produce an electronic deployment/inflation signal.
- The front air bags will completely inflate and deflate in an instant. It is virtually impossible for you to see the air bags inflate during an accident. It is much more likely that you will simply see the deflated air bags hanging out of their storage compartments after the collision.
- In addition to inflating in serious side
collisions, vehicles equipped with a
rollover sensor, side and/or curtain air
bags will inflate if the sensing system
detects a rollover.
When a rollover is detected, curtain air bags will remain inflated longer to help provide protection from ejection, especially when used in conjunction with the seat belts. (if equipped with a rollover sensor)
- To help provide protection, the air
bags must inflate rapidly. The speed
of air bag inflation is a consequence
of extremely short time in which
to inflate the air bag between the
occupant and the vehicle structures
before the occupant impacts those
structures. This speed of inflation
reduces the risk of serious or
lifethreatening injuries and is thus a
necessary part of air bag design.
However, the rapid air bag inflation can also cause injuries which can include facial abrasions, bruises and broken bones because the inflation speed also causes the air bags to expand with a great deal of force.
- There are even circumstances under which contact with the air bag can cause fatal injuries, especially if the occupant is positioned excessively close to the air bag.
You can take steps to reduce the risk of being injured by an inflating air bag.
The greatest risk is sitting too close to the air bag. An air bag needs about 10 in. (25 cm) of space to inflate. NHTSA recommends that drivers allow at least 10 in. (25 cm) between the center of the steering wheel and the chest.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury or death from an inflating air bag, take the following precautions:
- NEVER place a child restraint in the
front passenger seat.
Always properly restrain children under age 13 in the rear seats of the vehicle.
- Adjust the front passenger's and driver's seats as far to the rear as possible while allowing you to maintain full control of the vehicle.
- Hold the steering wheel with hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
- Never place anything or anyone between the air bag and the seat occupant.
- Do not allow the front passenger to place their feet or legs on the dashboard.
Driver's front air bag (1)
When the SRSCM detects a sufficiently severe impact to the front of the vehicle, it will automatically deploy the front air bags.
Driver's front air bag (2)
Upon deployment, tear seam molded directly into the pad cover will separate under pressure from the expansion of the air bags. Further opening of the covers allows full inflation of the air bags.
A fully inflated air bag, in combination with a properly worn seat belt, slows the driver's or the front passenger's forward motion, reducing the risk of head and chest injury.
Driver's front air bag (3)
Passenger's front air bag
After complete inflation, the air bag immediately starts deflating, enabling the driver to maintain forward visibility and the ability to steer or operate other controls.
WARNING
To prevent objects from becoming dangerous projectiles when the passenger's air bag inflates:
- Do not install or place any objects (drink holder, CD holder, stickers, etc.) on the front passenger's panel above the glove box where the passenger's air bag is located.
- Do not install a container of liquid air freshener near the instrument cluster or on the instrument panel surface.
What to expect after an air bag inflates
After a frontal or side air bag inflates, it will deflate very quickly. Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer. Curtain air bags may remain partially inflated for some time after they deploy.
WARNING
After an air bag inflates, take the following precautions:
- Open your windows and doors as soon as possible after impact to reduce prolonged exposure to the smoke and powder released by the inflating air bag.
- Do not touch the air bag storage area's internal components immediately after an air bag has inflated. The parts that come into contact with an inflating air bag may be very hot.
- Always wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with cold water and mild soap.
- We recommend that an authorized HYUNDAI dealer replace the air bag immediately after deployment. Air bags are designed to be used only once.
Noise and smoke from inflating air bag
When the air bags inflate, they make a loud noise and may produce smoke and powder in the air inside of the vehicle.
This is normal and is a result of the ignition of the air bag inflator. After the air bag inflates, you may feel substantial discomfort in breathing because of the contact of your chest with both the seat belt and the air bag, as well as from breathing the smoke and powder. The powder may aggravate asthma for some people. If you experience breathing problems after an air bag deployment, seek medical attention immediately.
Though the smoke and powder are nontoxic, they may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, etc. If this is the case, wash and rinse with cold water immediately and seek medical attention if the symptoms persist.
READ NEXT:
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an
Occupant Classification System (OCS) in
the front passenger's seat.
Main components of the Occupant
Classification System
A detection device located within the
front passenger seat cushion.
Electronic
Why didn't my air bag go off in a
collision?
There are certain types of accidents in
which the air bag would not be expected
to provide additional protection. These
include rear impacts, second or third
collisions in multiple impact accidents,
as well as low speed impacts. Damage to
the v
SRS care
The SRS is virtually maintenance-free
and there are no parts you can safely
service by yourself. If the SRS air bag
warning light does not illuminate when
the Engine Start/Stop button is in the
ON position, or continuously remains
on, we recomm
SEE MORE:
Charge and Retest method after battery charge
Battery charge
Set battery charger to 'Auto Mode' (The Mode that charging current drops as
the battery charges.) and
charge battery until charging current down close to zero or the charger alerts
you with an alarm when charge
is complete.(Mini
Inhibitor switch/ Manual control lever- Removal
Turn ignition switch OFF and disconnect the batteiy negative (-)
terminal.
Make sure vehicle does not roll before setting shift lever to "N"
position.
Remove the air cleaner assembly and air duct.
(Refer to Engine Mechanical
Information
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