2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Owner Manual - Page 64

62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE Driver and Passenger Airbag Inflator Units The Driver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering wheel and the right side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the Advanced Front Airbags. Different airbag inflation rates are possible, based on the collision type and severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle. Supplemental Seat Side Airbag Inflator Units - If Equipped The Side Impact (SRS) Seat-Mounted Side Airbags are designed to activate only in certain side collisions. The ORC determines if a side collision requires the side airbags to inflate based on the severity and type of collision. The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START or ON positions. These include all of the items previously mentioned. The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent Based on the severity and type of collision, the side holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front airbag inflator on the crash side of the vehicle may be triggered, releasing a quantity of non-toxic gas. The