SIR System Overview

The supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system supplements the protection offered by the occupants Seat Belt System (2). The SIR system may contain several inflator modules located throughout the vehicle, i.e. steering wheel module (1), instrument panel module (1), or roof rail modules (1). In addition to inflator modules, the vehicle may contain seat belt pretensioners (2) that tighten the seat belt in the event of a collision, thus reducing the distance between the occupant and the seat belt when an inflator module is deployed. Each inflator module has a deployment loop that is controlled by the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) mounted inside the vehicle. The SDM determines the severity of a collision with the assistance of various sensor inputs located at strategic points on the vehicle. When the SDM detects a collision, it will process the information provided by the sensors to further support air bag or pretensioner deployment. The SDM will deploy the frontal air bags and pretensioners if it detects a collision of sufficient force. If the force of the impact is not sufficient to warrant inflator module deployment, the SDM may still deploy the seat belt pretensioners. The SDM performs continuous diagnostic monitoring of the SIR system electrical components. Upon detection of a circuit malfunction, the SDM will set a DTC and inform the driver by illuminating the AIR BAG indicator. The steering column (3) and knee bolsters (3) are designed to absorb energy and compress during frontal collisions in order to limit leg movement and decrease the chance of injury to the driver and passenger.
Deployment Outside Vehicle for Seat Belt Pretensioners
Frontal SIR System DescriptionProblems with Route Guidance
Inappropriate route guidance can occur under one or more of the following conditions:
• The turn was not made on the road indicated.
• Route guidance might not be available when using automatic rerouting for the next
right or left turn.
• The route might not be changed when using automati ...
Where to Put the Restraint
According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly
restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear
seating position.
We recommend that children and child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including:
an infant or a child ridin ...
Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment - Component Inspections
Warning: Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle
structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration.
Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause
non-deployment of the air b ...