Airbag: Function, Types, Care Tips, Pros and Cons

GridGroup - Many car users think that seatbelt alone is enough to keep passengers safe during an accident. In fact, there is an additional safety device in the car that also plays an important role, namely the airbag. Car airbags are a driving safety feature that serves to minimize passenger injuries in the event of an accident.

Airbag is an air bag as an additional safety device in a car. Even so, not all types of collisions can make the car's airbag react. Therefore, it is important for you car drivers to understand what an airbag is, its function and also the condition of the airbag in each car.

An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system consisting of a flexible fabric envelope or cushion designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as steering wheels, dashboard, and doors.

Airbag Function for Car

An airbag function for a car is a safety feature that deploys in a crash to reduce the severity of injuries to the occupants. It is designed to cushion the occupants from the impact of a crash and reduce the risk of serious injury.

The airbag is typically located in the steering wheel, dashboard, and/or side panels of the vehicle. When a crash occurs, sensors in the vehicle detect the crash and activate an inflation system that rapidly deploys the airbag. The airbag inflates with a gas, usually nitrogen, and then quickly deflates so that it does not interfere with the occupants while they are in the car.

The airbag is designed to deploy when the crash is severe enough to cause injury, and it should not deploy if the crash is not severe enough.

Airbag Types

There are some airbag types that actually found in a car:

Frontal Airbags: These airbags inflate in a crash to protect the driver and passenger from striking the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield.
Side Airbags: These airbags inflate to protect the driver and passengers in the event of a side impact crash. They are usually located in the doors or the side of the seat.
Knee Airbags: These airbags inflate to protect the driver and passengers' knees in the event of a crash. They are usually located in the dashboard.
Seatbelt Airbags: These airbags inflate to reduce the amount of force a person experiences in a crash. They are usually integrated into the seatbelt system.
Curtain Airbags: These airbags inflate to protect the driver and passengers' heads in the event of a side impact crash. They are usually located in the roof above the doors.

Best Airbag Brands

Takata
Autoliv
TRW Automotive
ZF TRW
Daicel
Bosch
Key Safety Systems
Hyundai Mobis
Toyoda Gosei
Continental

Airbag Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

Airbags increase a vehicle’s safety by providing cushioning during an accident, reducing the likelihood and severity of injury.
Airbags are a passive safety device, meaning they are always ready to deploy in the event of an accident.
Airbags offer increased protection for passengers in the event of a collision, as they can reduce the impact of the collision on the body.
Airbags can also reduce the risk of being ejected from the vehicle in a collision.

Disadvantages:

Airbags can cause serious injuries or even death in certain cases.
Airbags deploy with a great deal of force, which can cause facial and neck injuries.
Airbags can be expensive to replace when they are deployed.
Airbags may not deploy in certain kinds of collisions, leading to increased risk of injury.

Airbag Care Tips

Check your airbag system regularly. Most modern airbag systems have a light on the dashboard that indicates when there is an issue with the system. If the light is on, or if you notice anything unusual, have it checked by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
Make sure the airbag system is serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This includes checking the airbag pressure, ensuring all components are properly installed and monitoring for any signs of wear or corrosion.
Have any necessary repairs or replacements done as soon as possible. If any parts of the system are damaged or worn, they should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure the system works properly.
Take extra care when cleaning the airbag system. Never use abrasive cleaners or solvents to clean the airbag system.
Have your airbag system inspected after a collision. Even if the airbags did not deploy, it is important to have them checked to make sure they are still functioning properly.

Does every car have an airbag?

No, not every car has an airbag.

Airbag for Car Price

The price of an airbag for a car will vary depending on the make and model of the car, as well as its year of manufacture. The average cost for an airbag is between $400 and $800, but prices can range from as low as $150 to over $2,000. Additionally, labor costs for installation can range from $50 to $200.