Passenger Airbag: Operation

The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting this gas through the porous fabric material used on each end panel of the airbag cushion.

The passenger airbag is secured with screws to the instrument panel structural duct beneath the instrument panel top pad and above the glove box opening.