How do you disable passenger air bag?

[Corey_R]

I agree JPanDAX, it's size that matters, not age. But the fundamental issue from 30 years ago still exists. The effectiveness of the restraints for "little people". If the seat belt doesn't effectively restrain you due to your small size, now arguably worse than 30 years ago due to the airbags...

[wai]

I just picked up my Caddy Maxi Life TDI250 this evening and I asked them about this and was told that they cannot be disabled by law. My Caddy does not have the switch mentioned, just the AUX iinput in the glove bin.

[MACCAA]

My daughter is 7 and sits in the front seat.

I think the laws are not that effective as some 7 year olds can be much smaller than a 5 year old for instance.

As for why put a child 7 or over in the front seat.....well, I drive safely and sedately when I have my children in the car as we all should! Also cars and safety of 30 years ago compared to today is a very different scenario.

I was driving safely and sedately when I ended up in hospital for 10 days with 5 broken ribs and a punctured lung........it's generally the other guys you have to worry about.
Whilst it's all very good to be safe and sedate,there's no way in the world that this guarantees your[ -or your family's ]safety.
It's like cab drivers who tell you that they don't need seat belts 'cause they're good drivers.....
I've been in two write offs that I had absolutely nothing to do with and no way of avoiding them-so don't kid yourself that you're safe and sound because you're doing the right thing.

[Corey_R]

Yep. I've been in a write off too, in my MKV Golf. I was stationary even! Unfotunately surrounded by cars and nowhere to move even if I wanted to. Luckily I was not seriously injured.

[JPanDAX]

Well as parents we all make judgements that we feel are suitable. You are never 100% safe from harm. I am happy to ride with my daughter in the front seat and do not feel I am putting her in undue risk by doing so.

I never kid myself about anything so serious and by driving safer I believe I AM reducing the risk to me and my family. This is common sense. Yes we can't control what other road users are doing, however if we are aware (as per what motorcycle rider training teaches) then we can avoid the results of the stupidity or mistakes of others in some cases.

You are all free to make your own calls on this as parents and adults.

I don't think this tread was to preach driving philosophies.

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[Ooj]

Should I be worried that I have the airbag switch installed on my car? It's a 2009 Mk6 GTI. I'm mostly worried about being able to sell it or pass rego in the future. The dealer kind of brushed over it when we did the delivery inspection.

[VW Convert]

Should I be worried that I have the airbag switch installed on my car? It's a 2009 Mk6 GTI. I'm mostly worried about being able to sell it or pass rego in the future. The dealer kind of brushed over it when we did the delivery inspection.

Having the switch is one thing, having it connected is another, have you tried to see if the airbag can in fact be disabled?

[Ooj]

Yes it definitely can be disabled. The airbag off light comes up if I turn the key to off.

[brad]

Should I be worried that I have the airbag switch installed on my car? It's a 2009 Mk6 GTI. I'm mostly worried about being able to sell it or pass rego in the future. The dealer kind of brushed over it when we did the delivery inspection.

Nobody would know it is there unless they look for it. Therefore, don't worry about.

I don't believe a current MX5 (or older models) have the passenger disbable switch in this market either.

That's my understanding too.

Well as parents we all make judgements that we feel are suitable.

You are all free to make your own calls on this as parents and adults.

Yep, a heady responsibility to be making decisions for those that you love the most. I find that those without kids are often the first to tell me that "You're doing it wrong!". (which I probably am but as there isn't a parental instruction book that covers every contingency, i'll carry on as best I can.)

Agree with those that say it should be on weight & height rather than age. I kept my kids in "baby seats" way longer than the law recomends because they were lightweights & their bodies fitted better into a "baby seat".

There is also the issue of when you are carting a group of kids off to sport or a birthday party. Do you put 3 in the back with the one in the middle only having a lap belt? Or is it safer to put that kid in the front with a lapsash belt & an active airbag? IIRC, there was a guy on VWwc with a MK3 Cabrio that wanted to turn off the airbag so he could have 4 + 6 yo in the back & a rear facing baby seat in the front. Initially it sounded like he was a baby killer but when he explained it, it all made sense.

Personally, I'd like to turn mine off when the dog is sitting on the front seat. Partly so he doesn't get his scone blown off, partly so I don't have the expense of an airbag replacement when deployment isn't needed.