Deactivatable passenger airbag
SécuritéAverage price
Inclus
The deactivatable passenger airbag is an essential safety feature in modern vehicles, designed to allow the temporary neutralization of the front passenger airbag deployment. Its primary function is to ensure the safety of children, particularly infants travelling in a rear-facing child safety seat. Indeed, the deployment force of an airbag, which deploys at over 300 km/h, can cause severe or even fatal injuries to a child whose seat is positioned in the front. The deactivation system generally takes the form of a key switch, located in the glove box or on the side of the passenger-side dashboard. On newer models, this control may be integrated into the infotainment system via the touchscreen. Once the airbag is deactivated, an indicator light on the dashboard confirms its 'OFF' status. It is imperative to reactivate the airbag as soon as an adult passenger or an older child (facing forward, according to the manufacturer's recommendations) occupies the seat, in order to guarantee optimal protection in the event of a collision. This feature thus offers essential flexibility for families while complying with the strictest safety standards.
Benefits
- ✓Allows a child to be transported safely in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.
- ✓Offers greater flexibility for passenger arrangement, especially for large families.
- ✓Ensures compliance with regulations prohibiting the placement of a rear-facing baby seat in front of an active airbag.
- ✓Prevents the risk of serious injury to children and small individuals in the event of airbag deployment.
Learn more
What is a deactivatable passenger airbag?
The deactivatable passenger airbag is an active safety feature that allows the driver to manually or via a menu deactivate the frontal airbag located in front of the passenger seat. Although airbags are recognized life-savers for adults, their deployment can be extremely dangerous for young children, especially those installed in a rear-facing infant seat. This feature has therefore become an almost universal standard in modern vehicles to address a crucial safety issue.
Why is it essential to deactivate the passenger airbag?
The reason is simple and vital. An airbag deploys in a few milliseconds at a speed exceeding 300 km/h. If a baby seat is installed rear-facing on the front passenger seat, the child's head is only a few centimeters away from the dashboard. In the event of a collision, the airbag would violently strike the back of the car seat, propelling the child and potentially causing fatal brain or cervical injuries. French and European regulations are very clear on this: it is strictly forbidden to transport a child in a rear-facing seat in a seating position equipped with an active frontal airbag. Deactivation is therefore not an option, but a legal and moral obligation.
How do I know if my vehicle is equipped and how to use it?
Most cars produced after the early 2000s are equipped with this system. To check and use it, several methods exist:
- Manual key deactivation: This is the most common solution. A key switch is usually located in the glove box, or on the side of the dashboard, accessible only when the passenger door is open. You simply need to insert the vehicle's ignition key and turn it to the 'OFF' position.
- Deactivation via the infotainment system: On many recent models, the control is digital. You must navigate through the menus of the central touch screen, often in the vehicle or safety settings, to find the option to deactivate the airbag.
- Automatic deactivation: Some premium manufacturers offer an automatic detection system. The passenger seat is equipped with weight sensors or a recognition system that identifies the presence of a compatible child seat (via a transponder) and automatically deactivates the airbag.
The crucial role of the control indicator light
Regardless of the method, airbag deactivation is always confirmed by a warning light on the dashboard or center console. This indicator, usually orange or yellow, displays a pictogram representing a passenger with a crossed-out airbag, accompanied by the text "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" or equivalent. It is essential to check that this light is on before every journey with a child seat in the front. Conversely, when the airbag is active, a "PASSENGER AIRBAG ON" light may briefly appear upon starting the vehicle to confirm it is working properly.
Never forget to reactivate it!
Safety goes both ways. While deactivation is vital for a child, forgetting to reactivate it is just as dangerous for an adult passenger. As soon as the child seat is removed, it is imperative to reactivate the passenger airbag. An adult or older child sitting in this seat would have no frontal protection in the event of a collision if the airbag remains set to 'OFF'. Make it a habit to check the airbag status whenever passenger configurations change. This equipment, combined with ISOFIX anchorages and pretensioner seatbelts, forms a complete ecosystem to ensure the safety of all vehicle occupants.
Finitions équipées
44 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
Volkswagen Volkswagen Sharan
Trendline (2nd generation, phase 1) (2010-2015)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Tiguan
Trend (1st generation) (2010-2011)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Touran
Trendline (1st generation) (2010-2015)
Volvo S60
Kinetic (2nd generation) (2010-2013)
Associated equipment
Passenger airbag
The passenger airbag is an essential component of modern vehicle passive safety. Integrated into the dashboard, facing the front passenger seat, this safety airbag is designed to deploy in a fraction of a second during a frontal or near-frontal collision of a certain intensity. Its primary role is to protect the passenger's head and chest by cushioning the impact and preventing violent contact with the rigid elements of the cabin, such as the dashboard or the windshield. Managed by an electronic control unit (ECU), the passenger airbag works in tandem with the pretensioner seatbelt and the load limiter. Deceleration sensors, placed at strategic locations on the vehicle, detect the severity of the impact. If predefined thresholds are reached, the computer triggers a pyrotechnic gas generator that instantly inflates the bag. The newest systems are 'adaptive', capable of modulating the deployment force and speed depending on the violence of the crash and sometimes the passenger's build or position. It is mandatory standard equipment on all new vehicles sold in Europe, testifying to its vital importance in reducing severe and fatal injuries.
Frontal airbags
Frontal airbags are a fundamental passive safety feature in modern vehicles. Designed to protect the driver and front passenger in the event of a frontal or near-frontal collision, they are an integral part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Their function is to deploy in a fraction of a second to create a cushioning pad between the occupant and the rigid parts of the cabin, such as the steering wheel or dashboard. The system is activated by sensors (accelerometers) that detect sudden and sharp deceleration, which is characteristic of an impact. An electronic control unit analyzes these signals and, if the crash is deemed sufficiently severe, triggers a pyrotechnic gas generator. This produces a large amount of gas (primarily harmless nitrogen) that inflates the nylon bag in less than 50 milliseconds. Modern frontal airbags are often adaptive (dual-stage or multi-stage), adjusting their deployment force based on the severity of the crash, seat position, or even the occupant's weight. They are designed to work in synergy with the seatbelt, which remains the primary restraint device.
Seat Belt Reminder
The seat belt reminder, also known by the acronym SBR, is an essential active safety system in modern vehicles. Its main function is to alert the driver and passengers when they have not fastened their seat belts. The system uses a combination of occupant detection sensors in the seats and switches in the belt buckles. When a seat is occupied and the corresponding seat belt is not fastened, the system triggers an alert. This usually manifests as a warning light on the dashboard, often representing a belted passenger, which lights up in red. If the vehicle begins to move or exceeds a certain speed (generally 20 km/h) without the seat belt being fastened, an increasingly insistent audible alarm is triggered. Initially reserved for the driver, this feature has progressively been extended to the front passenger, and then to all rear seating positions in the newest cars. Made mandatory by international regulations and valued by crash-test organizations such as Euro NCAP, the seat belt reminder is a fundamental element of passive safety, ensuring the effectiveness of other devices such as airbags and pretensioners.
ISOFIX anchorages
The ISOFIX (International Standards Organisation FIX) attachment system is an international standard (ISO 13216) that revolutionizes child safety in cars. It was designed to standardize and simplify the installation of child car seats, eliminating the frequent risks of incorrect installation associated with using the seat belt. The principle is simple and robust: two metal rings are securely anchored to the vehicle's structure, generally between the seat cushion and backrest of the rear seats. The compatible child seat is equipped with two rigid latches that lock onto these anchorage points. An audible click and a visual indicator (changing from red to green) confirm that the installation is correct and secure. To counteract rotational forces during an impact, a third anchorage point is essential. This can be a top tether strap, which attaches behind the seat, or a support leg that rests on the floor. By making the car seat integral with the chassis, ISOFIX guarantees a rigid and stable connection, significantly reducing the movement of the child's head and body in the event of a collision, thereby offering an optimal level of protection. Since 2011, all new vehicles in Europe must be equipped with these anchorage points.
Seatbelts with pretensioners
Seatbelts with pretensioners are a pillar of modern passive safety, acting as the first link in the protection chain in the event of a collision. This intelligent device does not simply restrain the occupant; it positions them optimally even before the peak of the impact. As soon as sudden deceleration is detected by the vehicle's sensors, the electronic control unit (ECU) sends a signal that triggers, within milliseconds, a pyrotechnic or mechanical mechanism. The latter powerfully retracts the seatbelt webbing, eliminating all slack and firmly pressing the occupant against the seat backrest. This preventive action is crucial: it ensures that the body is in the ideal position to benefit from the maximum effectiveness of the airbag, which deploys immediately afterwards. The pretensioner works in perfect synergy with the load limiter, which then slightly releases the tension to cushion the pressure on the chest and prevent injuries. Integrated into the retractor or the buckle, this system is now an essential standard equipment on all new vehicles, playing a decisive role in reducing the severity of injuries.