Airbag Questions

[BRISVX]

Got a couple of questions on airbags (BTW, used the search function, but didn't find what I was looking for).........

1) Can airbags deploy if the ignition is actually switched off?
2) Will disconnecting the battery absolutely guarantee airbags won't go off?

Reason for asking, is that my 2yo son has taken a liking to playing in the front seat while the car is in the garage. He sits very close to the steering wheel, prentending he is driving. I am worried he may accidently set the bags off. Locking the car is an option, but he screams his head off wanting to get in. Just wondering how dangerous it is when the ignition is off.

[bpm]

no, the bags cant deploy with ignition off, but i have heard of stray static charges setting them off n(not sure how true this is). when we were taught how to work on these systems we were told to always disconnect the negative of the battery before working on them. if you want to be safe i would disconnect the battery but i would say its not really necessary.

[ace078]

Duno about with the ignition off but they are activated buy impact sensors that calculate impact speed and direction befor deploying airbags. These are located from the about the middle of the front wheel arch all the way around to the opposite front wheel arch.I think impact speed must be above 45klms per hour combined speed (both car and object hit) Hope this info helps.

[Black_Utester]

Some information in relation to airbags. My interpretation is that a stationary vehicle cannot deploy airbags as it is not decelerating.

Quoted from RACQ and MetroFord.

AIR BAG SAFETY IN AUSTRALIA

There have been several reports recently from the United States which have raised concerns about the possibility of severe, or even fatal, injuries arising from the deployment of airbags.

Fortunately, those concerns are generally not relevant to Australia as they stem from the fact that seat belt wearing is not compulsory in some parts of the USA. As a result the actual wearing rate of seatbelts is much lower than here which means that in the United States, airbags are set to deploy at half the deceleration force required in Australia and at twice the speed.

Also of important note, placing children in the front seat, even with a seat belt or rear facing child restraint of a vehicle fitted with dual airbags places them at risk.

IN AUSTRALIA - it is illegal to place children under the age of 8 years in the front passenger seat and most infant restraints cannot be fitted correctly in the front passenger seat. Where this is not possible, i.e. in a ute, an infant restraint should only be fitted following expert advice.

Which leads us to the most important factor regarding Airbag safety:-

The Supplemental Restraint System (Airbag System) is designed to provide increased protection to the driver, in addition to that provided by the 3 point safety belt. When used in conjunction with a 3 point safety belt system and an energy absorbing steering column, the airbag system should provide the most effective passive safety system currently available.

The Airbag system is a passive vehicle safety system, whose purpose is to reduce the likelihood of the occupant from impacting with interior vehicle components in the event of a collision.

Furthermore, because seat belts are required by law in Australia, the minimum force required to fire the air bag is a pressure equal to double gravity.. In simple terms that is equivalent to driving into a cliff face at 25km/h or a moving vehicle hitting a stationary vehicle at 40km/h - hardly the typical parking lot accident. This is approximately half the ratio at which vehicles manufactured in the United States set their airbags to deploy.

Imported Ford vehicles, prior to export from the United States are fitted with an Export pack, ensuring that vehicles comply with Australian ADR standards and regulations.

Records of any drivers seriously injured by Airbags are not available in Australia but it is not thought to be a serious problem, i.e. such injuries would be less severe than those which would be expected without an airbag. However, people in Australia who drive in a position very close to the steering wheel must be at some risk, even with seat belts fitted. Consequently, prudence suggests adopting a position such that:

the chest is at least 30cms from the steering wheel

the chin is above the top of the steering wheel

the hands are kept away from the centre of the steering wheel in the conventional 10 and 2 position.
Airbag System Operation

The FORD air bag system uses a set of sensors to monitor the deceleration rate of the vehicle. The minimum force required to activate the system is equivalent to impacting a stationary vehicle of similar size and weight at 40km/h. In this situation, the system sensors will register the collision and the air bag will deploy in about 40-50 milliseconds after the signal from the vehicle crash sensors. For the air bag to deploy, the frontal impact must occur within a 60° window at the front of the vehicle. Deployment is NOT designed to occur during roll-overs, side impacts or rear- end collisions.

Sequence of Operation

In a major frontal impact, the crash sensors in the vehicle detect the sudden deceleration. When one of the crash sensors and the safing sensor close at the same time, electricity flows to the inflator and causes the ignition of the gas generant. The gas generant then rapidly burns in the metal chamber. The rapid burning produces nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas is cooled and filtered as it passes out of the inflator and into the bag.

The inflating air bag forces open the trim cover. The air bag then rapidly unfolds and inflates in front of the occupant to produce a cushioning effect - all these steps take a fraction of a second. After inflation the gas is vented through openings in the air bag. Air bags deflate at once and may be pushed aside for occupant removal.

If your vehicle is fitted with either driver's side or dual airbags - read your owners manual for instructions. Always wear seat belts, even if you are only driving to the corner shop. Always place children in the correct child restraints according to their weight in the rear seat - even if you are driving in a car park! Airbags can only help you if you are wearing your seatbelt - and this is required by law.

All information supplied herein has been taken from extracts from RACQ and the Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited.

E. & O.E.

[WhiteLion]

Mate, I would strongly suggest that you discourage a child from playing with the vehicle controls. If not, you may end up with a runaway car!!