2001 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 131

Seating and safety restraints How does the front air bag system work? The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains sufficient longitudinal deceleration to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates air bag inflation. The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and nearĆfrontal collisions, not rollover, sideĆimpact, or rear impacts. The air bags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After air bag deployment, it is normal to notice a smokeĆlike, powdery residue or smell the burnt propellant. This may consist of cornstarch, talcum powder (to lubricate the bag) or sodium compounds (e.g., baking soda) that result from the combustion process that inflates the air bag. Small amounts of sodium hydroxide may be present which may irritate the skin and eyes, but none of the residue is toxic.