Passenger Air Bag Question

[claxtro]

Hi.
Newer owner of a 2012 Volt and I LOVE IT! I've used it now for 600 miles and used just over a gallon of gas...wow!
I do have a question about the passenger airbags. I have three kids 9,6,4 which means my oldest needs to sit in the front w/me. She is 85 pounds (just weighed) and when she sits down the airbags are turning on. I thought the wieght limit was 100lbs before it turns the bags on? With no one in the seat the bags do turn off. Please advise, thank you.

--Rob.
Minneapolis, MN

[Steverino]

Not sure where you got that incorrect info.

Please check the owners manual under Seats and Restraints > Airbag System.

There is detailed info about the air bag operation and sensing system. Given that you have children, you should read it thoroughly as there is quite a bit of discussion about proper seating, etc.

You'll find there are no references to weight and you'll also find references to objects (besides people) being placed on the seat that can trigger the air bag sensor, as well as things that can interfere.

Other questions about car jacking points, towing, the instrument panel, etc., etc. will also be detailed in that handy little manual. Driving the car is a joy, but you'll find the owners manual has a LOT of great info on the car that may help make the drive even more enjoyable.

[markie]

My iPad turns mine on.

[WopOnTour]

Hi.
Newer owner of a 2012 Volt and I LOVE IT! I've used it now for 600 miles and used just over a gallon of gas...wow!
I do have a question about the passenger airbags. I have three kids 9,6,4 which means my oldest needs to sit in the front w/me. She is 85 pounds (just weighed) and when she sits down the airbags are turning on. I thought the wieght limit was 100lbs before it turns the bags on? With no one in the seat the bags do turn off. Please advise, thank you.

--Rob.
Minneapolis, MN

The Volt uses an advanced airbag system that catagorizes the front passenger using a capacitive field sensor that analyzes the size, shape, and pressure being applied to the seat cushion. It is not strictly a weight measurement such as older systems used with a simple gel-filled bladder/pressure solution. For smaller statured occupants the airbag is either disabled or in some cases "depowered" by using various techniques to reduce the deployment force of the deploying airbag. Your 9-year old appears to meet the classification requiring the advanced airbags to be active.

With respect to the current rule for "Advanced Airbags" as outlined in FMVSS208 the front seat passenger occupant detection and classification is based on a 6-year old child and 5th percentile adult female hybrid III dummies. In simple terms a 6-year old H3 dummy is the stature of a 50th percentile 6-year old child and weighs approx 51 pounds, this MUST NOT turn on the passenger front airbag and the 5th percentile female (weighing ~108lbs) MUST engage the bag. The use of a front facing child seat should also disable the front passenger airbag.

However, this does leave a group of children that are "on the cusp" so to speak, so a hybrid III 10-year old dummy weighing approx 77lbs has also been developed for testing purposes but has not yet been implemented into the rule in terms of deployment thresholds for depowering as of yet, but will probably represent the next level of standards in occupant protection - in FMVSS213.

As outlined in your owner’s manual NHTSA and ALL OEMs recommend that all children 12-years old and under be placed in the rear seats of the car whenever possible as statistically this is the safest place for them. However in the event that you must place a child in the front passenger seat , simply refer to the instructions in your owner’s manual (under "Seats and Restraints")for doing so. It will provide complete and detailed instructions typically advise you to insure they are properly buckled in and belts properly fitted/adjusted, (with or without a booster seat) and the seat moved rearward as far away as possible from the instrument panel and airbag.

For more information on advanced airbags you can refer to:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Research/Crashw...logy+Research/
http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shop...l+Air+Bags/#17

If you feel there is an issue with the way your airbag warning system is performing, simply visit your dealer and they will gladly perform a system check to help put your mind at ease. In the end your Volt is equipped with one of the most sophisticated occupant safety systems in existence and providing you follow your owner’s manual to properly seat and secure your family it should provide optimum protection in the unfortunate event of an accident.

Welcome to gm-volt.com


WopOnTour

[WopOnTour]

My iPad turns mine on.

Electronic devices such as laptops and tablet PCs should not be placed on the front passenger seat as they can disrupt the capacitive field sensor used to detect occupants. Refer to your owner's manual for more information.
WOT

[claxtro]

WopOnTour--This is exactly why I chose the Volt and the community behind it. Instead of a BS answer like there might something wrong with the sensor...I get an exact technical answer I was looking for. I am impressed! I am a senior networking engineer for a large newspaper here in Minneapolis and I respect your knowledge on the subject. Again, thank you WopOnTour.

Regards,
--Rob.

[claxtro]

A note on this: My daughter is at the 95th percentile for height and weight...it looks like we have a potential 6 footer on our hands and it would suggest the sensors on the seat are calculating/adjusting correctly. Again...wow.

--Rob.