2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 43

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 32 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags Air Bag System Description The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems: • The air bag system with inflators and air bags. • The electric system with crash sensors and diagnostic module. The air bags are mounted in the following locations: the center of the steering wheel, the passenger-side of the dashboard, in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks and the front and rear window pillars, along the roof edge. They are out of sight until activated. Dual stage inflators and air bags*3 Seat belt buckle switches*2 Inflators and air bags Front air bag sensor Side and curtain air bag crash sensor Crash sensors and diagnostic module (SAS unit) Seat slide position sensor (only for driver's seat)*1 Side and curtain air bag crash sensor Inflators and air bags *1 The driver's seat slide position sensor determines whether the driver's seat is fore or aft of a reference position. The sensor is designed to control the deployment of the driver's air bag depending on how close the driver's seat is to the steering wheel. *2 The buckle switches on the front seat belts determine whether or not the front seat belts are securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags on the front seats. *3 The front, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas during more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy. Deployment of the front air bags may differ between the driver and the front passenger depending on the driver's seat position and front seat belt usage, which allow for further controlling of the system. 2-32 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C