Airbags are restraints that are activated when a car senses a collision. Unlike the seat belts that only work if a passenger or driver buckles up, the airbags are made to automatically activate at the exact moment a collision is detected.
All vehicles in Australia include front airbags, but many car manufacturers go beyond the bare minimum requirements. In this article, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about car airbags.
About Airbags
Want to enjoy a perfect ride? If this is the case, then you must consider airbags when car shopping. Seatbelts and airbags have enabled countless passengers to escape from serious accidents with just minor injuries, due to the protection they offer. Do you want to keep your loved ones safe while on the road? Learn everything about the airbags in the sections below.
What are Airbags?
Airbags are simply car safety devices that are designed for protecting car users in the event of an accident. The Airbags are thin and have a nylon fabric, which unfolds from different areas in your car. Airbags offer supplemental protection and are designed to protect you in the car alongside the seatbelt.
How do Airbags work?
If you are involved in a car accident, airbags will protect you by inflating when the sensor attached to your car’s airbag senses a collision. Nitrogen gas will inflate the airbag and will deflate immediately the passengers or driver gets into contact with the car’s airbag. The car airbag normally acts as the cushion between you and the vehicle to reduce the injuries you might sustain in case an accident occurs.
How Fast Do Car Airbags Inflate?
It only takes less than a second for the car airbag to inflate. Research shows that vehicle airbags inflate at speeds of 100 to 220 miles/hour. Because airbags inflate very quickly, you should always make sure that you are wearing your seatbelt properly to avoid injuries.
Where Are Airbags Located?
Essentially, there are several airbags in your car, which are situated in various areas. Below are the types of car airbags and where they operate:
- Frontal airbags: these are situated within the instrument panel to protect the passenger and within the steering wheel to protect the driver.
- Knee airbags: located under the steering column for passenger and driver’s knee protection.
- Side airbags: deployed in the car’s doors to protect the driver and passengers from side collisions.
- Curtain airbags: these are located from the car’s roof to protect both driver’s and passenger’s heads.
Airbags And Kids
Because airbags inflate very fast, they can be really dangerous particularly to children. Below are safety points that you should consider when on the road with children or infants.
Airbags Safety
Avoid placing a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat. This is because it might be so close to the airbag as well as its force that can be conveyed through the infant seat. The safest place to put an infant car seat is in the rear car seat. Always ensure they are held in a convertible or infant-only car seat is placed in the rear car seat.
For the older children, you should always make sure they wear shoulder and lap belts to protect them from serious injuries caused by the force of the inflating car airbag. Ensure you secure your children in belt-positioning booster car seats or vehicle safety seats. Have the shoulder and lap belts customized for their size?
Just like infants, children under 12 or beyond should always seat in the rear seat.
But, if the child insists on traveling on the rear seat, make sure that you move the seat as far as possible from the car airbag. Also, make sure that the child is properly restrained for her or his size. Regardless, the rear seat isn’t safe for the children.
Airbag Recalls
At times, airbag manufacturers recall the car airbags in case they have any faulty ones. For instance, airbags can be recalled if they explode when deployed. When car shopping, enquire from your dealer concerning the car’s airbags and if there has been a recall. Learn everything about auto recalls as well as the actions that you can take if your vehicle gets affected.
Buckle Up Properly
Even with the car airbags, it’s still also crucial for every passenger in your vehicle to buckle up. Based on the CDC, car seatbelts are among the most efficient methods of saving lives and minimizing injuries when an accident occurs for older children and adults. Seatbelts maintain the people in position and in the vehicle to allow the airbag to do its work; reduce the impact of a car crash.
Stay Protected With Insurance
Now that you know about the car airbags, you should ensure that your vehicle is secured with an airbag to protect you while on the road. When car shopping for the right airbag, it’s also good to make sure that you have coverage from the best car insurance.
Reach out to the best car insurance agent and discuss your options as well as consider any other additional insurance such as collision coverage to protect your family at all times.
Now that you know everything about the airbags, it’s the best time to know and the pros and cons of other vehicle accessories. From starting the car to changing the tire, make sure you know everything to keep your car safe.
Airbags FAQs
How do airbags work?
An airbags deployment is usually controlled by sensors, which detect the occurrence of a collision.
Do airbags smoke once they go off?
If an airbag goes off then you should be well prepared for smoke. The airbags inflate using the combination of an explosive charge and compressed gas. The outcome is a cloud of smoke that smells like gunshot smoke.
Do airbags work twice?
Automakers design modern airbags for one-time usage. Nowadays, mechanics should replace safety devices after every deployment.
How many times can I use an airbag?
Airbags can only be used once. Once they have deployed incase of a collision, a mechanic should replace them.
Can airbags deploy with no impact?
Yes, this can happen.
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