How the Airbag System in Your Car Works
Airbags are crucial safety features designed to protect passengers during collisions by inflating rapidly upon impact. Understanding how they work and their importance can help ensure your safety on the road.
When it comes to modern safety features and safety equipment, the automotive industry has progressed significantly. As a result, today's vehicles are safer for the driver, passengers, as well as other commuters. The airbag is one of the most important automotive safety features. Airbags in cars are a passive safety feature, which function most effectively when combined with seatbelts. Here, you will get a thorough understanding of the various types of car airbags and how they operate.
What are Car Airbags?
Airbags are essentially built-in cushions that inflate when a frontal collision occurs with a car. To safeguard the people inside of the cars, these have been incorporated. In the past, front airbags were a standard safety feature in most cars. Later on, side airbags were added by automobile manufacturers. Both varieties of airbags have been shown to be effective in saving lives.
Based on the type of airbag, airbags are closely packed in different places inside the cabin. The airbags are typically located on the dashboard.
How Do Airbags Function?
A car's airbags are equipped with sensors that can determine how severe an impact was. Airbags will only activate and inflate within a second of a severe crash. In the event of an emergency brake, these airbags will not inflate. Only forces greater than 20Gs, or 20 times the gravitational force, can activate them. Thus, an accelerometer is required for a car's airbag system. It takes this sensor between 12 and 20 milliseconds for the frontal airbag to rise, and another 60 to 65 milliseconds for it to fully inflate.
How Do Airbags Open in Cars?
The airbag system in a car operates in the following manner:
- When a sudden deceleration is detected, the airbag control unit receives the signal from the crash sensors, which are typically found at the front of the car.
- Other sensors, like wheel speed sensors, brake pressure sensors, and seat occupant status sensors also provide data to the main control unit.
- After analysing the information, the airbag control unit can activate security features like the seatbelt lock, automatic door lock, and airbag deployment.
- The main control unit alerts the inflator when an accident is detected.
- The inflator starts a chemical reaction that results in an explosion of nitrogen gas. The airbag gets filled by the gas.
- When the airbag is fully filled with nitrogen, it ruptures through the panel that is holding it and cushions the passenger.
- After deployment, the airbag is deflated automatically.
What is the Cost of Airbags in Cars?
According to the make and model of your car, an airbag's price may differ. The type of airbag can also affect the price. For example, front airbags may cost more than curtain airbags. You can consult your car's spare parts catalogue to learn the exact cost of the airbag in your car. You can learn the cost of airbags in cars by going to the authorised service centre.
Importance of Airbags in Cars:
Airbags are one of the fundamental passive features of a car. This is why airbags are a standard feature in all of today's cars. If a severe collision occurs, the occupants may sustain serious injuries if there are no airbags. The passenger's knees, neck, head, and other body parts might crash into the interior of the car due to a lack of cushioning and these injuries may be life-threatening. Therefore, airbags are crucial for preventing injuries.
They serve as a cushion by reducing the impact of a collision on the passengers. However, the airbags are useless if the passengers are not wearing seatbelts. This is so that the airbag can function alongside the seatbelts as part of the restraint system. If your seatbelt is not fastened, you could get hurt by the airbags. Keep in mind that the airbag deployment occurs during an explosion. Thus, if you are violently flung from your seat, the force of the deploying airbag may cause injury to you.
Types of Airbags in Cars:
The cars in India usually feature the following types of airbags:
- Frontal airbags: These airbags are used to cushion collisions between the front occupants and the steering wheel and passenger dashboard.
- Door Mounted Airbags: They are mounted in the front doors on both sides.
- Roof Rail Airbags: These are located at the back of the trim that covers the roof rails.
- Seat Mounted Airbags: Seat-mounted airbags are situated on the outboard side of the driver's seat, as well as the front and, occasionally, the back passenger side.
- Knee Airbags: These airbags ensure the safety of the driver and the front-seat passengers. They are located in the lower portion of the instrument panel.
The airbag systems have undergone multiple developments recently. The following are some of the additional types of airbags:
- Inflatable seat belts
- Panoramic sunroof airbag
- Rear seat airbag
- Flexible airbag seating system
- Motorcycle airbag
- Cyclist vest airbag
- Far-side airbag
- Seat cushion airbag
- External hood airbag
- Precrash external side airbag system
- Bicycle helmet airbag
Note: Do not forget to Buy a Car Insurance !!
How to Check if a Car has Faulty Airbags?
A malfunctioning airbag system may result in injuries to individuals. These may raise the possibility of suffering an injury in a collision. For this reason, you need to check your airbags regularly. Today, almost every car is built with a particular system that can detect problems with the airbag system. This test determines whether the system's sensors and circuits are functioning properly. Additionally, it flashes a specific code if there is a potential danger.
For example, if the airbag indicator flashes twice, stops, and then flashes four times, it indicates that a code 24 problem has been detected. The table below highlights some common codes that may be detected:
Code | Type of Issue |
12 | Low battery voltage |
13 | Airbag circuit is shorted or grounded |
14 | Short or ground is on the primary crash circuit |
21 | Airbags are not properly installed |
22 | Safing output is shorted to a battery's voltage |
23 | Return circuit is open, or safing sensor output is shorted |
24 | Output feed is open |
32 to 35 | Frontal side airbags are malfunctioning |
41 to 45 | RH and LF primary crash sensors have a problem |
FAQs on Airbag System in Your Car
- What are the airbags in cars made of?
Sewing nylon fabric is used to make airbags for cars. These are made in a variety of sizes and shapes based on where they are placed in the car. In particular, the airbag on the driver's side has a coating that shields it from intense heat.
- How quickly do airbags deploy?
Airbags deploy rapidly about 55 milliseconds. Accidents are unforeseen; therefore, the response time is important for all safety equipment.
- When does an airbag activate?
Airbags will deploy if a car is involved in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash that occurs at 8 to 14 mph or more.
- Can I drive my car if the airbag light is on?
The airbag light on the dashboard will illuminate if there is a problem with the system. Consequently, in the event of a collision, the airbag will not deploy. Therefore, it's not a good idea to drive if the airbag light is illuminating.
- Can airbags shield passengers from injury?
Yes, airbags can prevent serious injuries to passengers. However, for the airbag to function properly, you must always fasten your seatbelt. Due to the force of the airbag's deployment when not using a seatbelt, the passengers may suffer injuries.
- Are airbags mandatory in India?
Dual airbags (front passenger side and driver side) are compulsory for all cars sold in India starting in January 2022.
- Can I deactivate my car's airbag system?
No, a car's driver-side airbag cannot be turned off. However, if the car has a passenger airbag cut-off switch, you might be able to turn off the front passenger-side airbag. The switch is typically found on the dashboard on the passenger side. However, driving with disabled airbags is not advised.
- Which is the most cost-effective airbag-equipped car in India?
In India, every car must come equipped with at least one driver-side airbag. Therefore, even entry-level cars have airbags.
- How can I tell if my car's airbag system is malfunctioning?
Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in modern cars are capable of diagnosing the airbag system's sensors and circuits. If any problems or errors in the system are detected, a warning light will be displayed on the dashboard of your car. Therefore, if you notice the airbag light on, go to the service centre right away to fix the issue.
- Can an advanced frontal airbag be used again after it has been deployed?
No, an airbag—whether advanced frontal or another kind—cannot be used again after deployment. It needs to be immediately replaced by a licenced service technician.
- Does your insurance policy include coverage for airbags?
Depending on the type of policy you select, airbags may or may not be covered by your car insurance. The airbags in your car are not covered by third-party car insurance. However, you can relax if you have a comprehensive car insurance plan.
- How frequently should airbags be replaced?
An airbag system's lifespan is dependent on the make and model of the car, in addition to the system's particular parts. Generally, airbag systems need to be checked regularly to make sure they are working properly. If an airbag is deployed, it must be replaced immediately.
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