1996 Toyota Corolla Owners Manual - Page 41

The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor. In a severe frontal impact, the sensor detects deceleration and the system triggers the airbag inflator. Then a chemical reaction in the inflator momentarily fills the airbag with non-toxic nitrogen gas to help restrain the forward motion of the driver. When the airbag inflates, it produces a fairly loud noise and releases some smoke along with the nitrogen gas. This is not harmful and does not indicate a fire. Be sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent minor skin irritation. Deployment of the airbag happens in a fraction of a second, so the airbag must inflate with considerable force. While the system is designed to reduce serious injuries, it may also cause minor burns or abrasions and swellings. The steering wheel hub may be hot for several minutes, but the airbag itself will not be hot. The airbag is designed to inflate only once. ! CAUTION The SRS airbag system is designed only as a supplement to the primary protection of the seat belt system of the driver. The driver is particularly susceptible to injury if he/she does not wear his/her seat belt; when sudden braking or a collision occurs, he/she may be thrown forward. To obtain further protection in an accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle should always wear their seat belts when driving. For instructions and precautions concerning the seat belt system, see "Seat belts" in this chapter. 36