How do the side air bags work?

How do the side air bags work?

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :

Your car includes front air bags, as well as side air bags. Your side air bags are located in the pillars beside the driver front and passenger front seats. They are controlled by the air bag system, and initiated by a signal from one of the crash/impact sensors located on the sides of the car. The passenger side air bag is designed to deploy with an impact on that side. The driver side air bag will inflate during certain types of impacts on the driver’s side.

Tips

The side air bags will not necessarily deploy in all side impact situations. The severity of the impact determines if they deploy.
The passenger side air bag will not inflate if there is no passenger present, or if the air bag system has turned off the passenger side air bags.
Both side air bags may deploy in an angled front impact if the system determines that it is necessary.

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Side airbags cushion and spread the load of impacts to prevent any part of the body from sustaining concentrated impact forces. A head-protecting side airbag is particularly important because it may be the only thing between the occupant`s head and the striking vehicle, since window glass can shatter in a crash.

Airbags put a soft barrier between passengers and the frame of the car (and other cars) during a crash. While front airbags protect the driver and front passenger from head-on collisions, side airbags add protection to passengers during side impact collisions, like getting T boned.

For unbelted occupants, the airbag has a low-speed deployment, usually at speeds of around 10-12 miles per hour. For belted occupants, airbags deploy at speeds of 15-17 miles per hour. In both situations, the airbag is designed to deploy when the vehicle hits the equivalent of a rigid wall.

Curtain airbags are activated in side impact crashes, for example t-bone crashes, or collisions with trees and poles. They deploy from the top of the door rails above the side window and work by providing cushioning between the driver or passenger`s head and the window.

An igniter in the inflator starts a chemical reaction that produces a harmless gas, which inflates the air bag within the blink of an eye – or less than 1/20th of a second.

Side airbags often deploy when the vehicle is hit along the side with high impact. It takes quite a bit to release them, and many cars aren`t even equipped with this safety feature. The idea is that a side airbag will help prevent head or limb damage from being jostled within the vehicle.

There are sensors installed with them to determine if an accident is severe enough for them to be deployed and unlike standard airbags, they will stay deflated for several seconds in an effort to give you added protection should your vehicle rollover.

But do you have a case if your airbags do not deploy during a vehicle accident? Yes, you do. If your airbags failed to do their job, then you may pursue legal action against the airbag manufacturer, the car manufacturer, or another liable party.

The simple answer is yes, you can, as long as the car can start. However, the question you should be asking is if it is a good idea to continue to drive after an air bag deployment. After a collision where the air bags deploy, many newer cars will automatically shut off power for safety reasons.

Only the driver`s airbag can deploy if there is no passenger in the front seat, or if the advanced airbag system has turned the passenger`s airbag off (see page ). If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, sensors will detect the vehicle`s rapid deceleration.

Side Airbags (SABs)

There are two main types: a side torso airbag and a curtain airbag. The side torso airbag is usually located in the side of the seat and inflates between the driver and the door, in order to protect the person`s torso.

The airbag of a car cannot be fixed after an accident. Even though it can be costly, you must have it replaced. Manufacturers design modern airbags for a single use. When they were first introduced, mechanics could reset some airbags.

To legally disable an airbag you need to submit a written request to NHTSA and, if approved, the work has to be done by an authorized dealer or shop. They`ll install an on-off switch so that the airbag can be enabled whenever the vehicle occupant doesn`t meet the requirements for deactivation.

Curtain airbags deploy from the roof lining just above the side doors, and cover the side windows and doors when inflated. They aim to protect occupants from side impacts or T-bone crashes.

If you`re not sure if the car is equipped with side airbags, or where they are located, check the outer stitch point on the seat for a small tag that says “airbag”. In the case of a door-mounted airbag, there is usually a small plastic badge that says “airbag”.

The switch is in the glove compartment. The passenger airbag deactivation indicator is above the climate control unit. WARNING: You must switch the passenger airbag off when using a rearward facing child restraint on the front seat. Insert the key blade into the switch.

Airbags and seatbelts exert a powerful force on your body during an accident. This force can bruise or fracture your ribs, leading to serious injury that requires medical care.

The airbag will only deploy if the vehicle`s sensors detect the correct speed, braking, and impact. A malfunctioning sensor can cause the airbag to activate when there isn`t a crash, or not deploy when a crash occurs.

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.

Because the sensors for airbags are usually in the front-end of a vehicle, a rear-end collision may not trigger a deployment. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, this type of crash could result in your vehicle being declared a total loss, yet no airbags were ever deployed.

The front passenger`s airbag will be turned off if the weight on the seat is approximately 65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant or small child). 9.

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

My heater is blowing air through the driver side air vents but is blowing cold air through the passenger side and rear console ven

ANSWER : Hi there:

Climate controlled vehicles have multiple electrical relays that open and close vents to maintain the desired temperature. In some instances, these relays can wear out overtime. However, it’s also common for debris to clog up vents (especially side vents) which may restrict the flow of cool air. The best way to determine why your AC is not working efficiently, it might be best to have a professional mechanic complete a AC inspection; so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

Air conditioner blows hot air on the left side and cold air on the right side

ANSWER : A common issue across many makes and models with dual AC in the temperature blend door actuator failing and causing drastic temperature differences between the driver and passengers sides. Have the HVAC system inspected by an experienced professional to find the specific cause. A certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the AC and assist with proper repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

Right side curtain air bag

ANSWER : The deployment of the air bag may or may not be a "delayed" consequence of the year ago "damage". A possibility is the deployment is a consequence of a defect(s) in the circuit and the "safing" provisions as well. A forensic examination (literally) would be required to determine the cause of the deployment and even that has many uncertainties. That is precisely why Honda can tailor their story to meet their needs; they know of the burden (to you) in getting to the bottom of something like this. In particular, it is obviously not credible for Honda to claim anything, or draw any conclusion, at all, about the deployment unless and until they have examined your particular case in high detail and, again, the ONLY way to do that is in the context of a forensic exam of the components, period.

You can file a complaint with NHTSA if you believe the deployment was unintended. You should file a complaint as NHTSA’s database of complaints is used by regulators to protect the public at large from defects in motor vehicles. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

The driver side reverse light won’t work, only the passenger side light works. I’ve changed all the bulbs and I still can’t get it to come on.

ANSWER : I would suspect that that there is a problem with the socket for the light bulb. Corrosion will build up in the bulb socket and not allow power, or ground, to get to the bulb. If the bulb is okay, then there is probably a wiring issue. You will first need to determine if the bulb socket is getting power and ground. That will tell you if it is a problem with the socket, or if it is something else.

To avoid any unnecessary repairs, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to diagnose the issue with your lights and fix it as necessary.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

Power mirror on passenger side will not retain it’s setting driver side works perfect.

ANSWER : A technician with an advanced scan tool can verify the issue. The mirror system is complex and involves many modules. The Body Control Module is a possible cause, but it’s doubtful; replacement requires reprogramming, which requires special equipment. I would check the driver’s and passenger’s door modules; toggle or move the switch on the driver’s side to see if it causes the problem, and ensure that the mirror glass itself is not loose on the passenger’s side mirror assembly.

Without diagnosing the problem with advanced equipment, the issue is hard to diagnose. A qualified YourMechanic technician can show up to the location of your vehicle with a scan tool to inspect and diagnose your power mirror issue.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

Driver side door lock button not working, and passenger side sliding door makes a buzzing noise

ANSWER : Hi there. These door issues are common on this vehicle. Most of the time the main issue is the master door lock switch on the driver door. It sounds like you already replaced that. As for the sliding door problem, most of the time, this is a failure within the door module or it can be a connection issue.

I typically take the door apart and check the connections on the module and inside of the door just to make sure that there is nothing apparent in there. If the connections and the wiring are fine, then I use a scan tool to check the module to see what the inputs and outputs are doing. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your door problem and recommend a repair.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

my husband just got in a car accident,the air bag didnt deploy on the driver side,it was a side collition..doesnt it still have to

ANSWER : The airbags may have programming to deploy only during a frontal impact and not for a side impact. The drivers airbag is designed to keep you from hitting the steering wheel in a frontal impact and will not help in a side impact. If you suspect a problem then have the dealer test it.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?

Dual air control blows very hot on passenger side and warm on driver’s side. Replaced the actuator with n/o change. Ideas?

ANSWER : Hi there. It would appear that your vehicle has a combination of problems with the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system. Your vehicle having dual zone climate control means there are two temperature blend door actuators.

Replacing components without diagnoses can be expensive and time consuming without resolution. It could be a faulty A/C control panel not changing actuator position.

The inoperative A/C could be any number of issues, from a faulty A/C compressor, to an A/C system needing service, etc.

No heat could also be from any number of issues from a restricted heater core, to an engine not getting to operating temperature, the thermostat is stuck open, etc.

I recommend having your vehicle’s inoperative HVAC system diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, so that this can be correctly addressed.

Read Full Q/A … : How do the side air bags work?