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Seating and safety restraints
85
How does the air bag
supplemental restraint system
(SRS) work?
The SRS is designed to activate
when the vehicle is in a collision,
similar to hitting a fixed barrier
head-on at 12-24 km/h (8-14 mph).
The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation.
The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation.
After air bag deployment, it is
normal to notice a smoke-like,
powdery residue or smell the
burned propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag), or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates
the air bag. Small amounts of
sodium hydroxide may be present,
which may irritate the skin and
eyes, but none of the residue is
toxic.
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