The air bag control module is located under the floor console, near to the gearshift lever. The installation marks on the air bag control module are to make sure it is aligned correctly.
A micromechanical sensor is incorporated into the air bag control module; this measures the acceleration/deceleration in the event of a collision. The calculated value is evaluated by the air bag control module to determine the severity of the impact.
The air bag control module compares the values it receives from the side impact sensors and the micromechanical sensor. If the deceleration due to a frontal or side impact exceeds a stored value then the air bag control module triggers the air bags and safety belt pretensioners as required.
If the vehicle battery is destroyed in the collision, a voltage hold circuit in the air bag control module will still enable the air bags to be triggered up to 150 ms after the start of the impact.
If a system fault is detected by the air bag control module, the air bag warning indicator is illuminated. The fault can be located by carrying out a diagnostic check using the Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS).
The air bag control module can be used again after a collision for up to 5 times, provided that the air bag control module is not physically damaged and that it passes a self-test.
The air bag modules are triggered by a direct current signal from the air bag control module.
Side Impact Sensors
The side impact sensors are located at the bottom of the B-pillars and transmit digitally encoded acceleration/deceleration information to the air bag control module.
The side impact sensor can be used again after a collision, provided that the side impact sensor is not physically damaged and that it passes a self-test.
Driver and Passenger Air Bag Modules
The passenger air bag module is located above the glove compartment and is secured to the in-vehicle crossbeam and the instrument panel. The cover is intergrated into the instrument panel to provide an unobtrusive appearance. The cover has invisible 'split lines' moulded in its surface allowing the air bag to easily exit through the cover when the system deploys.
The passenger air bag is deployed simultaneously with the driver air bag.
The passenger air bag will not be deployed simultaneously with the driver air bag if the PAD switch has been activated.
A new passenger air bag module must be installed following deployment.
Side Air Curtain Modules
The side air curtain modules are located in the roof rail between the A-pillar and D-pillar; decals in the headliner indicate that the vehicle is equipped with side air curtain modules. They are attached to the upper part of the body panel and are hidden behind the headliner and the D-pillar trim panels.
The electrical connections are located on the C-pillar at the rear end of the roof in front of the liftgate.
In the event of a side impact the relevant side air curtain is deployed and forms a protective cushion between the corresponding window and the head of the person(s) sat on the front and rear seat.
The side air curtains are deployed simultaneously with the side air bags.
Side Air Bag Modules
The side air bag modules are incorporated in the front seat backrests; a sewn-on label on the respective backrest indicates that the vehicle is equipped with side air bag modules.
When a side air bag is deployed, the seam of the seat cover tears open enabling the side air bag to inflate unhindered from the front seat backrest.
Driver Safety Belt Retractor and Pretensioner 5-door
The driver safety belt pretensioner is integrated in the driver safety belt retractor.
A load limiter is built into the retractor spindle of the driver safety belt retractor. The spindle is designed as a torsion bar and, by turning, limits the belt force on the shoulder to a predetermined limit.
The driver safety belt pretensioner is designed to remove the slack from the safety belt webbing in the event of a frontal or near frontal collision over the predetermined limit.
The driver safety belt pretensioner can only be deployed once, a new driver safety belt retractor and pretensioner must be installed if the driver safety belt pretensioner has been deployed.
The driver safety belt pretensioner is triggered simultaneously with the front air bags.
Front Passenger Safety Belt Buckle and Pretensioner 5-door
The pretensioner for the front passenger safety belt is an integral part of the front passenger safety belt buckle stalk.
The passenger safety belt buckle pretensioner is designed to remove the slack from the safety belt webbing in the event of a frontal or near frontal collision over the predetermined limit.
The front passenger safety belt buckle pretensioner is triggered simultaneously with the front air bags.
Driver and Front Passenger Safety Belt Buckle and Pretensioner 3-door
The pretensioner for the driver and front passenger safety belt is an integral part of the driver and front passenger safety belt buckle stalks.
The pretensioner is designed to remove the slack from the safety belt webbing in the event of a frontal or near frontal collision over the predetermined limit.
The driver and front passenger safety belt buckle pretensioner is triggered simultaneously with the front air bags
The safety belt buckle pretensioner can only be deployed once, a new safety belt buckle and pretensioner must be installed if the safety belt buckle pretensioner has been deployed.
Clockspring
The clockspring is designed to carry signals between the air bag control module and the driver air bag module. The clockspring is installed on the steering column and consists of fixed and moving parts connected by a coiled Mylar tape with internal conducting tracks. The Mylar tape is able to 'wind up' and 'unwind' as the steering wheel is rotated, maintaining electrical contact at all times between the air bag control module and the driver air bag module.
Vehicles equipped with stability assist have a steering wheel rotation sensor incorporated in the clockspring.
Air Bag Warning Indicator
A PAD switch can be installed by the dealer as an optional extra; the PAD switch is located in the glove compartment.
The PAD switch is activated/deactivated by the use of a key.
When the ignition is switched on, a warning indicator in the instrument panel indicates that the passenger air bag has been deactivated. The air bag warning indicator will be illuminated continuously in this case.
After installing a PAD switch, the air bag control module must be re-configured using WDS.
