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On-Off Switch Precautions
If I turn "off" an air
bag for someone at risk, what precautions should
I take for others?
It is important to realize that turning off an air bag is a temporary measure
intended for the benefit of any individual in one of the risk groups
described earlier. If such an individual is not seated in front of the deactivated air
bag, then it should be turned on or reactivated. For instance:
- An air bag should be deactivated when children age 12 and under are
carried in the front seat. As children grow in size beyond this age, the need to maintain
the switch in the "off" position disappears.
- Likewise, while a medical condition may justify turning off the air bag in
the passenger seat, this would apply only when an individual with this condition is being
transported as a front seat passenger.
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Since the air bag will not automatically turn itself back "on" after you turn it
"off" with an on-off switch, you must remember to turn it
"on" when someone who is not at risk is sitting in that seat. Every on-off switch has a light to remind you when the air bag is turned
"off".
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If I turn "off" an air
bag, will the seat belt provide enough protection?
Air bags increase the protection you can get from seat belts alone. If the air bag is
turned "off", you lose this extra protection.
In some newer vehicles, turning "off" your air bag may have additional
consequences. These vehicles have seat belts that were specially designed to work together
with air bags. If the crash forces become too great, these new seat belts "give"
or yield to avoid concentrating too much force on your chest. The air bag prevents you
from moving too far forward after the seat belts yield. Without the air bag to absorb the
energy of the occupant, the risk of hitting the vehicle interior is increased. Ask your
vehicle manufacturer for information on whether your seat belts were specially designed to
work with air bags.
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