How do the front air bags work?
How do the front air bags work?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The front air bags in your car are designed to provide important protection in the event of certain types of collision. Here’s what you need to know about them:
Multiple Thresholds: Once, air bags only inflated. However, yours have multiple thresholds and can inflate to different degrees depending on the severity of the collision.
Collision Types: The front air bags will generally only inflate in front-end collisions, as well as possibly during severe side collisions. They’re not designed to deploy in rear-end collisions.
With or Without Seat Belts: Your front air bags can deploy whether you’re wearing your seat belt or not. If you’re not wearing your belt, the chance of sustaining a serious injury is much higher.
Tip
Front air bags deflate instantly after inflating to reduce the chance of injury.
It is possible for only one front air bag to inflate during certain types of impacts.
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When activated, the inflated airbags help absorb the driver`s and front passenger`s forward momentum. From the moment the sensors detect a sufficient frontal impact, the airbags can fully deploy faster than the blink of an eye. Immediately after inflation, vents in the airbags allow them to rapidly deflate.
Air bags reduce the chance that your upper body or head will strike the vehicle`s interior during a crash. To avoid an air-bag-related injury, make sure you are properly seated and remember—air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.
The tested model of Honda Civic was introduced in Australia and New Zealand during 2012. Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains are standard equipment. Antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC) are also standard.
Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags
Like other Honda vehicles, the driver`s front airbag is located in the steering wheel while the passenger airbag is located on the top of the dashboard.
Air bags inflate when a sensor detects a front-end crash severe enough to trigger their deployment. The sensor sends an electric signal to start a chemical reaction that inflates the air bag with harmless nitrogen gas. All this happens faster than the blink of an eye.
How do airbags work? If you get in a car accident, airbags work by inflating when a sensor connected to your vehicle`s airbag detects a collision. They are inflated by nitrogen gas and will deflate as soon as the driver or passengers make contact with the airbag.
Only one airbag will deploy during a side impact. If the impact is on the passenger`s side, the passenger`s side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger. To get the best protection from the side airbags, front seat occupants should wear their seat belts and sit upright and well back in their seats.
Standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; a driver`s front side airbag; and a front passenger`s side airbag with an occupant position detection system.
American Honda has voluntarily expanded its January 31, 2012 recall of 347 model-year 2012 Honda Accord and Honda Crosstour vehicles in the U.S. to replace a side curtain airbag assembly to include additional Accord and Crosstour vehicles and to add certain model year 2012 Honda Civic and Acura MDX vehicles, increasing …
Turn the ignition to the start position and start the vehicle. Take note of the airbag indicator light. Normal operation is when the light comes on momentarily and goes out. If the light stays on or flashes, there is a problem with the airbag system.
Front air bags are located in the steering wheel to protect the driver, and in the dashboard of most cars to protect passengers. Front air bags are not designed to protect vehicle occupants in side and rear impact or rollover collisions.
For unbelted occupants, a front airbag will typically deploy when the crash is the equivalent of an impact into a rigid wall at 10-12 mph. For belted occupants, most airbags will deploy at a higher threshold — about 16 mph — because the belts alone are likely to provide adequate protection up to these moderate speeds.
Many automakers such as Mercedes-Benz placed airbag replacement labels on all vehicles sold in the U.S. through 2002. Those labels called for airbags to be replaced after 15 years. But after much research, automakers have concluded that airbags produced after 1992 will last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Airbags are not supposed to deploy if seat belts are not being worn. This is because they can cause serious injury or even prove fatal in such deployments. This is not a failsafe mechanism though. Sometimes people bypass the system by using plugs for their seat belts to switch off the alarm.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Air conditioning not working in the front of my SUV
ANSWER : My guess is that the refrigerant level is low (from a leak somewhere) or there is a problem with the AC pressure cut out switch. The control module will cut power to the AC compressor if it determines the system does not have the correct pressure due to a low refrigerant level.
Disconnecting the battery probably temporarily reset the control module. There may or may not be codes stored in the HVAC system to aid with diagnosis.
You should be able to wiggle the large fuse out with your bare hands or gently remove it with a pair of pliers.
Finally, I do not think any of this has to do with the oil change that was performed.
the left front air suspension dropped, No codes, compressor works. Bag fills but not enogu to lift
ANSWER : You have great diagnostic skills! In addition to the components you have listed, it’s also possible the air line to that corner has a leak, or the solenoid itself has a leak. Unfortunately, this is a chronic problem with model – causing many to abandon the air suspension, and revert to traditional spring/strut packages. If you’d like, YourMechanic can dispatch a certified professional mechanic to your location to perform a Suspension system inspection and repairs.
Front fan is not blowing any air just stop working. I turned the air on and heard a popping sound. Rear is working blowing cold
ANSWER : It’s possible the blower motor, or possibly just the blower resistor block, has failed. To determine which of these (or other) possibilities are involved, please request a fan/blower motor diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
My dash board don’t work my front light work when I change my light into high beam and my back window won’t go down
ANSWER : As unfortunate as it is, your vehicle would be considered flood damaged. Diagnosing electrical problems in a flood damaged vehicle is nearly impossible. This would take many hours or even days to determine which wiring harnesses and circuits have been affected. Then nearly all of the wiring under the dash would likely require replacement as well as many sensors and switches. On a BMW vehicle, the amount of wires and switches are likely more than that of a lower end vehicle. Due to the inefficiency in cost, you would likely be able to purchase another BMW like yours for less than what it would cost to fix your car. Many insurance companies would consider this type of damage to total out the vehicle unfortuantely.
How do the front air bags work?
ANSWER : The front air bags in your car are designed to provide important protection in the event of certain types of collision. Here’s what you need to know about them:
Multiple Thresholds: Once, air bags only inflated. However, yours have multiple thresholds and can inflate to different degrees depending on the severity of the collision.
Collision Types: The front air bags will generally only inflate in front-end collisions, as well as possibly during severe side collisions. They’re not designed to deploy in rear-end collisions.
With or Without Seat Belts: Your front air bags can deploy whether you’re wearing your seat belt or not. If you’re not wearing your belt, the chance of sustaining a serious injury is much higher.
Tip
Front air bags deflate instantly after inflating to reduce the chance of injury.
It is possible for only one front air bag to inflate during certain types of impacts.
Air suspension valve not working pump works but no air comes out of valve to struts
ANSWER : If air is getting to the valve but not coming out, odds are yes the valve is bad. Unfortunately there is no rebuilding kit for them. It most likely will have to be replaced then the entire system will need to be checked for any other leaks or faults.
How do the driver and passenger front dual-stage air bags work?
ANSWER : Your car offers some pretty advanced safety technology, including dual-stage front air bags for both the driver and the front passenger. These are different from older air bags in that they can inflate to different degrees. This is an important consideration for lower speed impacts with less force involved. The system measures the force of impact and determines the appropriate amount of inflation for each air bag (in severe collisions, both air bags are completely inflated for safety).
What do the air bag On and air bag Off lights mean on the dash?
ANSWER : Depending on whether the front passenger occupant classification system detects that the passenger front seat is empty, detects a child, or determines the passenger is an adult, it will turn on or off different lights, as well as controlling the air bags. Here’s what you should know:
Adult
If the system detects that an adult is present in the seat, the air bag On light will light up. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light will be off. The front air bag, the side air bag and the curtain shield air bag will all be active. The Seat Belt light will flash if the seat belt isn’t buckled.
Child
If the system detects the presence of a child in the seat, the air bag Off light will be turned on. The SRS light will be off. The front and side air bags will be turned off, but the side curtain air bag will stay on.
Empty
If the seat is empty, the air bag Off light will be on, the SRS light will be off, and the front and side air bags will be turned off. The side curtain air bag will still be active, though.
Tip
If the air bag Off light is on and the SRS light is on, it means there’s a malfunction in the system. Have the car inspected.
