Q: What is the purpose and function of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and Air Bag on Toyota Prius?
A: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), otherwise referred to as airbags that help shield the driver and the front seat passenger in case of an accident are standard across the models. Models from 2001 to 2003 have impact sensors in front lower bumper, behind the dash, and at both sides of the vehicle's centerline while airbag modules are in the steering wheel, right side of instrument panel, and both front seats. On the other hand, models starting from 2004 have the supplemental airbag modules built into the steering wheel, the side of the instrument panel facing the passengers, front seats, and side panels running from the roof down to the doors, backed up by seat position sensors and an occupant-classification computer. The driver's side t airbag is positioned at the steering wheel it consists of a housing with a cushion and an inflator unit that swells the bag in almost zero seconds once an electrical signal has reached it. The control of the passenger side airbag is situated just above the glove compartment, and it is larger and has a steel reaction housing of the airbag trim cover which corresponds to the color and the texture of the instrument panel. Side impact bags increases on aspect of safety and are placed on the seat back while that side curtain airbags on the headliner deploys in side impacts and protects the heads of both front and rear seat passengers. The sensing and diagnostic module provides power to the airbag system during an accident and monitors the system's operation at every startup, if the "AIR BAG" lamp is working, it informs the user that the system is properly functioning. That is why the procedures for work near the SRS components include disarming the system, disconnecting the battery, and waiting for the back-up power supply to discharge. Air bag openings should be towards the outside when handling the air bag modules while the air bag modules should be adequately stored. Therefore, we should reverse the following scenarios: measurement of the resistance of the SRS components, electrical welding involvement without the disconnection of the airbag connector, and improper disposal of live airbag modules. For component removal and installation procedures to be followed, the driver's side airbag module and the clockspring procedures have to be followed, and with regards to the passenger side airbag module, it depends on whether it is models before 2001-2003 or models of 2004 and later, and for the safe handling of the airbag modules, there are specific methods which have to be followed while carrying out the procedure.