1988-2011 ACURA/Honda All MODELS

Theory of Operation

The SRS or Supplemental Restraint System is an air bag component. It is designed to protect the driver and front seat passenger in frontal collisions exceeding certain set limits when used in conjunction with seat belts. The system consist of the SRS or Supplemental Restraint System unit which includes safing and impact sensors, the driver's air bag and the front passenger's air bag. 

On all Hondas, Acura MDX, RSX, 3.2CL, 3.2TL and 3.5RL models seat belt pretensioners are linked with the SRS or Supplemental Restraint System. Pretensioners instantly retract belts during frontal collisions. On RSX models to further increase the effectiveness of the seat belt, seat belt buckle pretensioners retract with the belts to firmly secure occupants. There are side impact air bags, located in the front seat backs. Their sensors are installed in the door sills, along with those in the SRS or Supplemental Restraint System unit. Should an impact occur, only one side impact air bag will deploy. For example, a collision on the driver's side of the vehicle will set off only the driver's side air bag. A passenger's side impact would set off that side's air bag. This system also includes the Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). This consists of sensors and a control unit in the front passenger's seat back. This unit transmits the occupant height and position data to the SRS or Supplemental Restraint System unit. If the SRS or Supplemental Restraint System unit determines that the passenger's head is in the side impact air bag's deployment path it automatically disables the side impact air bag and lights the Side Air Bag Indicator Lamp to remind the driver that air bag will not be deploying should a side impact occur. The main circuit in the SRS or Supplemental Restraint System unit senses and judges the force of impact and, if required, ignites the inflator charges. If battery voltage is too low or power is disconnected because of the impact, the back-up power circuit will keep voltage at a constant level.