I was looking at the Hyundai adverts in the FTZ when I spotted a really odd "new feature" in the new Hyundai Sonata 2007 CVVT-i (formerly known as the Sonata NF). You can take a look here. If you look at the far lower right corner of the advert, you will notice the new feature called "Dual Airbag On/Off Function (Passenger Only)". That really made me wonder... why the heck would THAT be a feature to look for??? Just think about it. This feature apparently allows you to disable the front passenger's airbag. Why would anyone do that?? This feature would perhaps be useful to someone looking to kill someone in an accident. You know, disable his/her airbag and drive straight into a tree. Now, THAT is really food for thought, eh?
Well if it has SRS (most cars have them now) it won't deploy or will half deploy depending on the severity of the crash and how heavy (or big) the person is. Dunno about actually being able to turn it off (i dont think you're allowed to do that... o_0 )
Yup, that is correct and standard for all SRS cars. But I just wonder about this new On/Off feature which is apparently only for the passenger-side airbag.
You can turn it off if you have a child in the front seat. or those baby seats in front airbags are not suitable for childs.. they might suffocate
Correct, on older cars, you need to get a key operated switch installed in order to disable the front passenger airbag if you want to install a rearward facing child seat. Newer cars (Some of those built in 1999/2000 to most recent/ current model years in the US/ Canada came with them.) either came with the switch or a special sensor that detects the weight in place or a child seat (Mercedes has this technology.) which inflates the bag up to the first stage (If equipped with two-stage airbags.) or completely disables the passenger airbag. btw, off the topic, but here's a safety message to all ARP forummers (and hopefully other people on the road too!) that are driving. Airbags or no airbags, front seat or rear seat, ALWAYS don't forget to buckle up!
Actually, seat belts should be more than sufficient for most minor crashes. Airbags help a lot more if you don't buckle up.
Depending on the speed & angle of the car at impact, the airbag wouldn't inflate. Airbags MUST be used in conjunction with seatbelts, hence the name SRS Airbag, Supplementary Restraint System (NOT Substitute Restraint System.). Here are some links below; http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/airbags.html http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/jan2006/bw20060103_767848.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag http://www.howstuffworks.com/airbag.htm http://ilang.kangwon.ac.kr/course/2004_01/wmv/29 Dangerous Airbag.wmv VW Jetta Safe Happens TVCM, airbag inflation filmed in real time.-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjcSWW3vCBk & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpAKW7FMDIo
You're a bit off the mark actually. It's more to the fact that certain babyseats are rear facing so when upon impact and deployment it would cause the seat to become a projectile causing severe injuries and in certain instances, deathfor the child. This was mandated by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sometime ago. In fact the NHTSA recommends drivers to sit at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel to avoid excessive airbag impact on body upon the event of deployment. Not really true. In certain accidents, the impact would be severe to the point that one would still at leastbe hit by the steering or any protruding projectile in front of chest due to the lash and certain allowances given to the seatbelt's elastic stretching. Hence airbag's full meaning of it's acronym SRS, Supplemental Restraint System. Airbags will help a lot if you buckle up. Airbags are only designed to be deployed at full inflation pressure for only about 1/20 of 1 second. So in the event of multiple collision, not buckling up will mean at least severe injuries
I meant the suffocation part. Airbag deployment is only 1/20th of a second. The rest were correct actually
Is the car still drivable if the airbag is deployed, of course, if the car is not significantly damaged...
It should be fine I guess. But I think calling the tow truck (Not the dodgy ones of course.) is a safer choice. Besides, most of the crashes I've seen which involve the airbags deploying are not in a drivable condition.
Agree as airbags are programmed to deploy at only a certain minimum amount of g-forces acting upon an impact sensor installed with the system. So I'd say with current airbags designed to deploy at what is determined to be a major accident, yeah the tow truck seems to be a good decision
Hmm.. If I'm not mistaken, the self-restraining seatbelts and airbags will only work if the impact sensor detects a very bad crash. Wearing the seatbelt is always a must AFAIK cause in the event the impact is not significant enough to set off the airbags, the impact may still be bad enough to fling you into the steering column.. or even through the windshield. Talking about disabling the airbag... I wonder if it would ever make it into a plot to kill someone?
