One of the most important safety elements in your car is your airbag. It is designed to deploy if you ever find yourself in an accidental collision, reducing the possible injuries you might sustain. This component works for both the driver and the passengers. And with the help of an airbag, you can have confidence that you have some protection when you’re on the road.
Here are four important things you need to know about your car’s airbags to ensure your safety whenever you drive:
1. The Airbags’ Previous Deployments
If you buy a pre-owned car, you need to be wary about its overall condition. This includes knowing if the airbags have been deployed before.
To check if a car’s airbags have been used before, you can check the airbag indicator light or look at the airbag cover. If you find any signs of deployment, you need to get them replaced as soon as possible.
Remember that airbag modules are not reusable. Another excellent and simple way to know if they’ve been used before is by asking the car’s previous owner.
2. The Number of Airbags in Your Vehicle
Vehicles always vary in design and model, which means the number of airbags in one may not be the same as others. If you want to know how many airbags your car has and where they are located, you can check the manufacturer’s specifications.
Aside from the driver and passenger airbags, there is a chance that your car also has side airbags. What you can be sure of is that it has been mandatory for vehicles to have dual front airbags in the United States since 1995.
3. The NHTSA Permits Some Drivers to Detach the Airbag
Although the NHTSA allows some drivers to disconnect their airbags, this is only allowed in certain circumstances. According to their guidelines, anyone who has a medical condition and is at risk because of airbag deployment can remove it when they are in the vehicle. Those who cannot adjust their driving position and need at least ten inches from the steering wheel are also given permission. Lastly, children aged 12 or younger sitting in the front seat can have the airbag removed and attached as applicable.
4. Resetting and Replacing an Airbag
When an airbag has gone off, it needs to be reset before you head back on the road. It is also essential for you to rely on the services of an experienced and highly skilled mechanic to get the job done. The same logic also applies if your airbag is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
By working with a mechanic that specializes in airbag reset and replacement, you have an assurance that your airbag is always in good condition. It will give you peace of mind, knowing that you and your family are safe on the road.
When Should I Replace My Airbag?
You cannot reuse an airbag once it has been deployed, but you can get it replaced. If your airbag has gone off after a collision and the car itself hasn’t been seriously damaged, you need to make sure that it gets replaced. If you do not replace your airbag and find yourself in an accident, it could increase fatal injuries by 30 percent.
In some places in the United States, such as Georgia, installing or reinstalling a non-standard, non-working airbag is illegal. In Alabama, it is a requirement to replace airbags. If you want to sell your car, you are legally obligated to tell the buyer that the vehicle does not have functioning airbags. Lastly, airbag replacement costs can be covered by insurance or the insurer of the party who is at fault.
Conclusion
Knowing the condition of your airbags can help you determine whether they need to be reset or replaced. By doing so, you will do your part to ensure that you are safe on the road. If you are unfamiliar with airbag control module reset or repair, we have you covered.
Safety Restore is the world’s leading specialist in post-accident restorations, particularly in seat belt repairs and airbag modules. We also offer seat belt webbing replacements and instrument cluster repairs. If you want to know how to reprogram an airbag module or learn more about airbag module reset, contact us today.