In the event of a collision, a gas will instantly be injected into the airbag and thus inflate to cushion the impact. The airbag will then deflate very quickly to absorb the shock of the body’s impact. Essential for the safety of the driver and passengers, it is recommended to check the airbags approximately every 5 years.
MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON: HOW TO INTERPRET IT?
The problem can firstly come from a weakness in the battery. Indeed, this has a direct impact on the electrical devices of the vehicle. A voltmeter can help you know if the failure is coming from there.
A malfunction of the connectors under the front seats can also be the cause. To find out, simply disconnect and reconnect the wires. If the indicator light goes out, there was a connector failure.
If the light stays on, it is a good idea to go to a professional who will examine the system.
CHECK THEIR EFFECTIVENESS
For an airbag to be effective, each person must ensure that it is properly installed on board. Indeed, the driver must maintain a distance of 25 centimeters from the steering wheel. The front passenger must also not put his or her feet on the dashboard. Finally, if your vehicle has side airbags, you must not lean on the sides of the seats.
- Warning: although the airbag protects during an accident, the impact with it remains violent and always surprising. This is why a properly fastened seat belt prevents being propelled against an obstacle (seat, windshield, …) or even out of the vehicle.
REPLACE YOUR AIRBAGS
If it has exploded, an airbag cannot be reused. Therefore, it must be replaced after an accident. However, this replacement has a cost. Indeed, this operation can go from 2000 € to 4000 € if your vehicle is equipped with more than 6 airbags.
What’s more, without even having been used, the average lifespan of an airbag varies from 10 to 15 years depending on the model. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask your mechanic for advice and verification.