What is SRS? How will an Innova scan tool help me?

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SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System, which relates to your vehicle's airbags and seatbelts. There are other names for SRS such as RCM (Restraint Control Module), ORC (Occupant Restraint Controller), and DERM (Deployment Energy Reserve Module) for example. The name of the module will vary depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle.

The primary component of the SRS is the airbag, which is typically located in the steering wheel for the driver and in the dashboard or side panels for the front passenger. In the event of a significant impact, the SRS control module receives signals from sensors throughout the vehicle, such as the accelerometer or crash sensors. These sensors detect rapid deceleration or changes in velocity, indicating a collision, and send a signal to the control module.

Upon receiving the signal, the SRS control module triggers the deployment of the airbags. The airbags rapidly inflate with gas, providing a cushioning effect to help reduce the risk of injury by absorbing the impact force and reducing the likelihood of occupants striking hard surfaces within the vehicle.

Besides airbags, the SRS may also include other safety components, such as seat belt pretensioners and load limiters. Seat belt pretensioners retract the seat belts and remove any slack, firmly securing occupants in their seats before the airbags deploy. Load limiters allow a controlled amount of seat belt webbing to be released during a crash, reducing the force applied to the occupant's chest.

Benefit example:

Clear SRS codes like a professional mechanic. Find the root cause and purchase the required parts recommended by ASE Master Techs through our free RS2 app.

Use Case:

• You got into an accident a few months ago, and the airbags were deployed.
• You’re driving your car and notice the SRS light pop up.
• You grab your Innova scan tool to read SRS.
• It reads the SRS codes along with the descriptions of the codes; B0028: Right Side Airbag Deployment Control; B0020: Left Side Airbag Deployment Control.
• After resolving the issue, you can clear the SRS codes with an Innova scan tool.

This is the wireless Innova 1000 dongle diagnosing SRS codes in a jeep.

Note: The 1000 dongle goes with the free RS2 app on a smart phone or tablet to provide code descriptions, fix information, predicted maintenance, and much more!

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