# Passenger air bag question **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 17, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492 "2014-06-17T16:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trombenik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@Trombenik](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Trombenik)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/1 "2014-06-17T16:55:45Z")
I had the occasion to drive my wife’s car, a 2006 Passat. After mucking around for a while, I learned that you can’t release the parking brake if the foot brake pedal isn’t depressed. Fair enough. But then i saw the “passenger Air Bag OFF” light. Got out the manual and noted the bag was off if no one was sitting in the seat. OK, fair enough again, but WHY? Why bother turning the bag on and off? Why not just leave the bag on and save a few dollars in manufacture? I think it may have to do with a child’s car seat, and maybe you don’t want the bag if a kid seat is in place. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/2 "2014-06-17T17:11:39Z")
Yes, it has to do with a child’s car seat–even though those objects shouldn’t be in the front anyway. And, it also has to do with an adult/young adult/child who is very small in stature sitting in the front seat and being injured by an airbag. On most modern cars, the passenger has to be above a certain weight (about 95-100 lbs IIRC) in order for the front passenger airbag to be “active”. The weight sensor in the passenger seat determines whether the airbag is “active” or not. However, it also has to do with the expense involved in replacing an airbag after it deploys. These devices are fairly expensive, and if one deploys to protect a non-existent passenger, the needless expense of replacing it is not something that you want to have to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/3 "2014-06-17T17:18:25Z")
I agree with @VDCdriver, on both points. Add to the damage if a passenger side bag deploys; say goodby to your dashboard and windshield. They will both be destroyed because the bag rips the dash cover and uses the windshield for frontside support. The drivers side has the steering wheel for support. The repair costs triple to quadruple if the passenger side bag deploys. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/4 "2014-06-17T17:28:57Z")
> And, it also has to do with an adult/young adult/child who is very small in stature sitting in the front seat and being injured by an airbag. That’s the only reason. When air-bags were first introduced there was no sensor. But small kids were severely injured if the air-bag deployed during a accident. So now has to have a certain weight on the seat to enable to air-bag. ---
**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/5 "2014-06-18T00:41:38Z")
I also read that some cars don’t activate the passenger air bag if the seat belt isn’t fastened, because crashing into an exploding air bag can kill you. That doesn’t sound right to me. Does anyone know? 2002 Sienna. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/6 "2014-06-18T00:47:43Z")
I agree. There were some terrible injuries and death(s) to small kids riding in the passenger seat with the full force of air bag going off and hitting them in the wrong place. So there is a weight limit to prevent them from going off. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 3:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/7 "2014-06-19T03:59:23Z")
Airbags, when first mandated had to protect the driver whether they were belted or not. These higher powered bags caused injury and death in small drivers, usually women, sitting close to the wheel. In cars with passenger bags, some children were killed by the high powered bags. The force was allowed to be reduced in '98 so that the combination of bag and belt were used together to meet standard. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/8 "2014-06-19T17:40:01Z")
Airbags were ALWAYS designed as a secondary restraint system. NEVER a primary system. But they saved peoples lives who weren’t wearing their seatbelts. The reason people were injured or killed was because of the speed of the airbags deployment. The very first air-bags were too slow. The ones that were first introduced in cars were too fast for some people (usually small children). ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/9 "2014-06-19T22:14:24Z")
“But they saved peoples lives who weren’t wearing their airbags.” I know what you meant, but now I can’t get this image out of my brain. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/10 "2014-06-19T22:43:58Z")
> "But they saved peoples lives who weren't wearing their airbags." > > I know what you meant, but now I can’t get this image out of my brain. I EDITED my post…wearing their SEATBELTS… I can’t even imagine what wearing an airbag would look like. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/11 "2014-06-19T22:44:23Z")
Ahh a new business idea targeted to people afraid to drive. Inflatable driving suits to protect from all hazards and injuries. Could be another model for bikers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/12 "2014-06-19T23:32:33Z")
You only need to ask: > **[‘Invisible bike helmet’ is an airbag for your head](https://www.today.com/video/today/53563167)** > > Two graduate students are getting global attention creating an “invisible bike helmet” – actually a mini airbag designed to protect bicyclists’ heads from injuries. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/13 "2014-06-20T22:03:57Z")
Airbags, when first mandated, were required to protect an unbelted 50th percentile man because seatbelt use was less than 25 percent per FMVSS 208. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/14 "2014-06-21T08:01:52Z")
"I can’t even imagine what wearing an airbag would look like." I can. Now every morning when I look in the mirror this post will pop into my mind… ---
**Author:** ![meanjoe75fan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meanjoe75fan/32/552_2.png) [@meanjoe75fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meanjoe75fan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/15 "2014-06-21T08:21:20Z")
> Ahh a new business idea targeted to people afraid to drive. Inflatable driving suits to protect from all hazards and injuries. Could be another model for bikers, etc. I remember hearing a comedian–kvetching about all the safety doo-dads–who queried: “why don’t we just make the whole world out of Nerf?” ---
**Author:** ![wesw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wesw/32/2713_2.png) [@wesw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wesw)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/16 "2014-06-21T16:54:24Z")
even tho I have long legs, I sit with the seat pulled all the way forward because of my back problems. does this make me likely to be injured by an airbag? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/17 "2014-06-21T20:05:05Z")
“because of my back problems” Welcome to the club, man ---
**Author:** ![wesw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wesw/32/2713_2.png) [@wesw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wesw)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/18 "2014-06-21T21:12:03Z")
lol, I m a longtime member. I know where the expression “pain in the ass” came from, sciatica. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 1:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/19 "2014-06-22T01:45:34Z")
I have a different kind of bad back . . . scoliosis ---
**Author:** ![wesw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wesw/32/2713_2.png) [@wesw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wesw)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492/20 "2014-06-22T02:02:39Z")
sorry bud. I am also a crooked man. lost 2 inches so far… I look like a freakin’ cartoon character with my shirt tucked in, long legs and short body [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passenger-air-bag-question/85492.md?page=2)