Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) (Opel Astra H)

Warning: This section contains very important information that is intended to help the reader avoid serious injuries in the event of an accident, as well as in the event of incorrect or careless implementation of the recommendations for the use of active safety components!

Remember that SRS is an additional system and in no way replaces the elements of passive safety for the driver and passengers!

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components

The devices and components that make up the supplemental safety system (SRS) include:

• a) Two front (frontal) airbags. The driver's airbag module is housed in the steering wheel hub. The front passenger airbag is housed in a special cavity on the right side of the vehicle's instrument panel. The locations of both airbags are marked with warning signs "AIRBAG";
• b) Two side airbags. The airbags are mounted in the backrests of the front seats, on their outer side (facing the door). The locations of both airbags are marked with warning signs "AIRBAG";
• c) Two head airbags (with appropriate equipment). The airbags are mounted along the side edges of the ceiling panel. The presence of a head airbag (curtain) system is indicated by the inscriptions "AIRBAG" on the central pillars.
• d) Directional overload sensors that are triggered in the event of a severe frontal/side impact;
• e) Electronic self-diagnosis system which, when the ignition is on, continuously tests the overload sensors, control unit, airbag gas generators and connecting wiring of the relevant circuits;
• f) Automatic emergency seat belt tensioners built into the front seat belt retractors;
• g) SRS malfunction indicator lamp mounted in the instrument cluster;
• h) The front passenger seat occupancy recognition system indicator light is displayed in the service/information display field on models with the corresponding equipment;
• i) An autonomous power source designed to duplicate the function of the on-board battery in the event of its failure during a collision.

The additional safety system is activated when the ignition is switched on. If the SRS failure indicator lamp built into the instrument cluster (see below) comes on while driving, this indicates possible malfunctions of the airbag modules or automatic emergency seat belt tensioners.

SRS Malfunction Indicator Lamp Operation Procedure

The SRS warning lamp is mounted in the vehicle's instrument cluster (Section 16).

When the ignition is turned on, the indicator lamp lights up for approximately 4 seconds, during which the self-diagnostic system polls the status of all electrical circuits connected to the SRS devices. After a specified time, the indicator lamp should go out, confirming the proper functioning of the system.

It is necessary to seek help from an Opel service station as soon as possible in the following cases:

• a) The indicator lamp does not activate when the ignition is turned on;
• b) The control lamp continues to light after the control time has expired (4 seconds);
• c) The indicator lamp is activated while the vehicle is moving.

If the above symptoms are present, there is a high probability that the SRS will fail during an accident.

Warning: Ignoring the SRS warning light signals can lead to the most serious consequences if the airbags fail during an accident!

Automatic emergency seat belt tensioners

The return devices of the three-anchor seat belts of the front seats are equipped with emergency automatic tensioners. The tensioners are activated by a signal from the SRS directional overload sensors during a frontal collision and provide instant selection of slack in the belts, as a result of which the straps of the latter tightly embrace the body of the occupant, significantly increasing the level of protection of the driver and front passenger. The tensioner is built into the assembly of the return mechanism of the belt. The procedure for using such belts is similar to the procedure for using belts of a conventional design equipped with inertial return devices. The tensioner activation mechanism is absolutely opaque to the user and does not require any additional skills or knowledge from the latter. Activation of the tensioners occurs only in the case of significant frontal overloads. The activation of the modules is accompanied by a loud bang and minor smoke formation.

Note: The smoke released when the tensioners are activated is safe for human health, but when inhaled directly it can cause irritation of the mucous membranes.

It should be noted that failures of tensioners to operate during a frontal collision in most cases are explained not by a malfunction of the system, but by the fact that the overloads that occur during the impact do not reach the threshold value at which the modules are activated.

Like airbags, emergency tensioner modules are designed for a single deployment and after that are subject to replacement together with the belts - contact the Opel service station. All claims regarding failures of SRS components are also accepted there.

Front passenger seat occupancy recognition system

On models with the appropriate equipment, the seat occupancy recognition system deactivates the front and side airbag systems of the front passenger if the front seat is unoccupied or if a special transponder-equipped Opel child seat is installed in it.

Note: With the appropriate configuration, the head airbags remain activated.

The presence of the driver recognition system is indicated by an indicator that appears in the service display field (see section 16) when the ignition is turned on - after 4 seconds the indicator should go out, confirming the system is working properly. In addition, the front passenger seat assembly with the occupancy recognition system is marked with a warning sticker (see illustration 13.2). Activation of the indicator in continuous or flashing mode informs about a fault in the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system - contact an Opel service center immediately! The installed special child seat equipped with transponders is recognized automatically when the ignition is switched on - in this case, the indicator must light continuously, confirming that the front and side airbags of the front passenger are switched off. If the child seat is installed incorrectly or the transponders are faulty, the indicator is activated in flashing mode. It is necessary to check the correct installation of the seat in accordance with the accompanying operating instructions. If the indicator flashes when the seat is correctly installed, this means that a fault has occurred, in which case the use of the child seat in the front seat is not permitted. The child seat must be reinstalled on the rear bench seat, and an Opel service center must be contacted as soon as possible to rectify the fault.

Warning: Only special Opel child seats with transponders may be installed on the front passenger seat. Using child seats without transponders is dangerous to the child's life!

Maintenance of SRS components

Attention: All work related to installation, testing, replacement and disassembly of SRS elements (including when preparing a car for scrap metal disposal) must be carried out only by specially trained personnel in a service station - incorrect and careless handling of the components of the additional safety system is associated with the risk of injury to people near the work site!

Airbags and automatic emergency seat belt tensioners require virtually no regular inspection or maintenance. However, the owner of a properly equipped vehicle should keep the following points in mind:

• The service life of airbag modules is approximately 15 years, after which they should be replaced;
• After the airbags and automatic seat belt tensioners have been deployed, both must be replaced together with the SRS control unit - all operations must be performed at a service station;
• It is also necessary to check and control the functionality of all SRS elements. If the car was in an accident, but the system elements were not used or were not activated;
• If the SRS warning light is triggered, indicating a system failure, you should immediately contact your nearest Opel service station for a full diagnostics and necessary repairs of the system. Otherwise, the airbags may not deploy in an accident and may not perform their protective function;
• Independent modification of the design of SRS elements and equipment located next to them (steering wheel, front seats, instrument panel, etc.), is unacceptable! Placing various types of decorations, foreign objects, as well as protective covers and other coatings on SRS elements may lead to a malfunction of the system and to unnecessary injuries in an accident!
• Do not open modules or modify the SRS wiring - such intervention may result in inadvertent deployment of the airbags and tensioners and cause injury to the operator or nearby people;
• Do not replace the front seats without first consulting an Opel service station - careless or incorrect replacement may result in failure of the side airbags to deploy in the event of an accident - the authors of the guide recommend that this procedure be performed by specialists;
• The SRS control unit is built into the center console between the front seats - try not to place devices containing magnets or sources of electromagnetic waves near it;
• Hooks on ceiling handles are intended for hanging only light items of clothing without hangers. There should be no dangerous items in the pockets of clothing;
• To clean the outer surfaces of the protective covers and the covers of the additional safety system elements, use only a dry cloth or interior cleaning agent. Do not use aggressive cleaning agents! Be careful - excessive pressure on the protective covers may trigger the airbags!
• On models equipped with the occupancy recognition system, do not place heavy objects on the front passenger seat, otherwise the corresponding airbags will be activated in the event of an accident.

Article posted on a web portal: Opelbook.ru

Attention. It is prohibited to use protective upholstery and linings on the front passenger seat to avoid disruption of the system's operation, and when installing a special Opel child seat with transponders, to put any objects under it (for example, film, stickers or heating mats) under the child seat!

Note: When selling a vehicle, inform the new owner about the SRS components that the vehicle is equipped with.

On all models equipped with SRS, special warning signs are attached to the locations of the active elements of the system.