deactivating Frontera airbags
Submitted: Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 13:14
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Member - rengatt (VIC)
Does any one know if it is possible to deactivate your airbags to prevent a minor hit on the front (dozing some dirt)?
This thought crosses my mind occasionally, as it would ruin your day if the airbags were set off by a minor bump.
I have heard that some makes hae a bypass switch to prevent this happening.
Are these able to be set up for all makes and models?
Before I get yelled down, it would only be for off road situations where there is chance of setting the airbags off.
Thanks in advance
rengatt
Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 14:09
Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 14:09
Hi rengatt,
Airbags will only deploy IF the vehicle speed is above 28 km/hr (from memory, but its an odd number!) AND a certain G force is exceeded on impact. If you hit something hard enough to set an airbag off then your vehicle is more than likely undrivable.
While I have never hit a roo in an airbag vehicle, I have never heard of a roo making an airbag go off and I know people with airbags that have hit roo's (anyone know any different here ???). So that gives an idea of how hard you have to hit to make an airbag activate.
As truckster says, its illegal to deactivate them and I for one would never consider doing it. But as for your question about is the vehicle driveable (assuming mechanically OK otherwise), it depends on the model. Some ECU's will not start the engine until the airbag is replaced (dealer fix) while others have no connection between engine and airbag activation.
Cheers
Captain
AnswerID:
96793
Reply By: Rosco - Bris. - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 17:25
Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 17:25
Don't know about the Frontera, but I recall with the Disco I had you had to be moving at a min of 20kph into a totally immovable object before they would deploy. In that instance I very much doubt the vehicle would be driveable.
I'm fairly sure it's somewhat similar across the board. In the USA they are apparently set to deploy at lower speeds due to
seat belts not being compulsory in some states.
I really don't think you have an issue to concern yourself about.
Cheers
AnswerID:
96823
Reply By: JR - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 10:27
Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 10:27
Guys,
Airbags do go off, dont kid youselves, hit a big roo (or cow) under brakes and they will go off in many vehicles. Although they are better than they used to be.
If the ECU locks you out you could be in trouble, vehicles can often be able to be driven after such a collision and if somenes hurt or sick (maybe why you were going too fast anyway!!)
Problem is legally if you have Airbags installed they MUST be active and working all the time. Same with ABS
JR
AnswerID:
96914