Tag Archive: Airbags
Airbags In Hot, Humid Climates Can Explode
October 21, 2014
Airbags that can explode, sending out flames and hot shrapnel have prompted an urgent recall for millions of vehicle owners. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall on October 20, 2014 for owners of Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, and General Motors. The airbags were manufactured by the Takata corporation of Japan and have been installed in millions of vehicles going back to the 2002 model year.
According to reports, the airbags may be more prone to explode in hot, humid areas so the NHTSA warning is more urgent for those living in the following areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii. NHTSA advises owners living in those areas to have the vehicle repaired without delay.
While the press release only mentions an urgent warning for those living in the areas listed above, vehicle owners throughout the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions should get their vehicles checked without delay.
Toyota issued a warning that, until the problem is fixed, passengers should not ride in the front passenger seat. They went further to advise that owners turn off the passenger side airbags.
For more information and a list of the recalled vehicles you can visit: Affected Vehicles, by Manufacturer, Impacted by CY 2013 and 2014 Recalls Involving Takata Airbags
If you are still uncertain, you can see if your specific vehicle has been recalled by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) by visiting: Search for recall by VIN.
To find your vehicle’s VIN, look at the inspection plate just under the windshield or on the driver’s side front door panel.
Right now, the VIN lookup website is experiencing a high volume of traffic so, if you can’t get in, you may want to call your vehicle’s local dealership for more information.
For more information see: Feds Urge Millions of Car Owners to Get Air Bags Fixed Now
Ask The Traffic School Instructor: Are Airbags Enough Protection?
May 20, 2014
Question: If my car is equipped with airbags, do I still need to wear a seat belt?
Answer: The technical term for airbags (and you’ll see this embossed on your steering wheel) is the Secondary Restraint System or SRS. Airbags aren’t meant to be the primary restraint system, they are only meant as a backup system. They won’t work effectively if you aren’t wearing your seat belt. In fact, traffic deaths have been attributed to airbags because the driver was either sitting too close to the airbag or, as in the great majority of cases, not wearing their seat belt. In a crash, your body will continue traveling forward at the speed the car was going before the crash until it is stopped by something else (Newton’s laws of motion). If you’re wearing your seat belt, the seat belt will restrain you and, if the airbag deploys, it will act as an extra cushion to keep your face from smashing into the steering column or dashboard. The airbag deploys at 200 mph in one-tenth of a second. If you aren’t wearing your seat belt, your body will fly forward as the airbag is traveling toward you at 200 mph. In that case, the crash forces will be tremendous and can easily be fatal. Remember also that the airbag doesn’t deploy in every crash. If the angle of the crash is such that the airbag sensors aren’t actuated, the airbags won’t deploy. Airbags are a great life saving device when used properly and that means using them in conjunction with the seat belt. Seat belts are the most important, first, and primary safety device in the vehicle.