The Seat Belt System and How It Works, Supplemental Restraint System

If possible, use the lap/shoulder Seat Belt Maintenance Supplemental Restraint System seat belt, remembering to keep For safety, you should check the Your Accord is equipped with a the lap portion as low as condition of your seat belts Supplemental Restraint System possible (see page 7). regularly. (SRS) to help protect the head and chest of the driver and a Pull out each belt fully and look front seat passenger during a for frays, cuts, burns, and wear. severe frontal collision. Check to see that the latches work smoothly and the This system does not replace your lap/shoulder belts retract easily. seat belts. It supplements, or Any belt not in good condition or adds to, the protection offered not working properly should be by seat belts and other occupant replaced. protection features.

If a seat belt is worn during a crash, have your dealer replace the belt and check the anchors for damage. Not wearing a seat belt properly Each time you have a check-up, increases the chance of serious ask your doctor if it's okay for For information on how to clean injury or death in a crash. you to drive and how you should your seat belts, see page 148. position a lap/shoulder seat belt. Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear them properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety Supplemental Restraint System

SRS Components What Happens in a Crash After inflating, the airbags will Your supplement restraint If you ever have a severe frontal immediately deflate. The entire system includes: collision, the sensors will detect process, from detection to rapid deceleration and signal the deflation, takes a fraction of a One airbag in the steering control unit to instantly inflate second. This process occurs so wheel for the driver and the airbags. quickly that you may not hear another in the dashboard for the loud noise created by the the passenger. During a crash, your seat belts airbag inflators or realize what Sensors that can detect a will help to restrain your lower has happened. severe frontal collision. body and torso. The airbags will provide a cushion to absorb After the crash, you may see A sophisticated electronic what looks like smoke. This is system that continually crash energy and help keep the head and chest of the driver and actually powder from the monitors the sensors, control front passenger from striking the airbag's surface. People with unit, airbag activators, and all interior of the car. respiratory problems may related wiring when the experience some temporary ignition is ON (II). discomfort from the chemicals An indicator light on the used by the airbag's activators. instrument panel to alert you to a possible problem with the system. Emergency backup power in case your car's electrical system is disconnected in a crash.

Driver and Passenger Safety Supplemental Restraint System

Important Facts Airbags inflate and deflate only undercarriage, may not cause About Airbags once. They cannot protect you extensive body damage but may cause the airbags to inflate. Airbags inflate only when during any additional impacts needed; in a severe frontal that occur during a crash collision. A severe collision sequence. would be similar to a crash into a How the Driver's Injuries, including fatal injuries, parked car at 25 mph. Airbags Airbag Works can occur in a severe collision, will not inflate in a moderate If you ever have a severe frontal even if seat belts are worn frontal collision, or during a rear collision, your airbag will properly and the airbags inflate. impact, side impact, or rollover - instantly inflate to help protect No safety system can provide even if the impact is severe. your head and chest. complete protection in a severe crash. FRONTAL COLLISION RANGE Just from viewing the vehicle damage after a crash, it is very difficult to accurately determine if the airbags should or should not have inflated. In some cases where the airbag did not inflate, extensive visible damage indicated that the car absorbed much of the crash energy, and the airbags were not needed. In other cases, a severe jolt, such as an impact to the

Driver and Passenger Safety