Air Bag Question

[MustangMama]

I know the backseat is the safest for children, but why does my car make air bags that shut off for a child to sit in front?

Is it safe to put a RF car seat in the front as long as the air bags are turned off?

My car has sensors that automatically turn them off if you don't weigh enough when the buckle is buckled.

[LISmama810]

It's never ok to put a rear-facing child seat in front of an airbag unless you can PHYSICALLY turn it off with a switch or a key. The sensors aren't fool-proof, and there's probably a sticker on your visor (and a warning in your car's manual) not to put a RF child restraint in the front, even with the sensors.

My understanding is that airbags (especially newer ones) don't really pose a threat to FF children, so I can't answer your first question.

[unityco]

I doubt it's the primary reason, but *one* of the reasons for those airbag sensors is to prevent them going off when there's *no* passenger. They're expensive to replace, and you really don't want them going off for the benefit of your briefcase or shopping bags. :p If they do go off, no harm to the "stuff", but it would be very harmful for a child. The sensors are not reliable enough for that.

[jen_nah]

I have personally seen or know a couple of people that had their passenger airbags deploy when the sensor was "off". One held a 7yr old boy that was in a side impact (dad T boned a vehicle that rain a red light). Child only weight 55lbs and sensor was off per & post crash but airbags deployed.

A friend alone in her vehicle hit a concrete poll head on. All front airbags deployed. Only thing in the front seat was her purse.

[MustangMama]

So if I am understanding correctly, it is okay for a FF child to sit in the front with the air bags off or even on?

[Nisha]

So if I am understanding correctly, it is okay for a FF child to sit in the front with the air bags off or even on?

The back seat is still the safest, airbag or none. I wouldn't put a child under 13 in the front seat unless there was no other choice. I wouldn't want to take a chance of the dash landing in their lap!

[LISmama810]

Depending on where you live, it might be illegal, too, depending on the child's age.

Keep in mind that a child restraint will also usually put the child closer to the airbag or dashboard (due to the shell), and because car seats make children sit up higher, their heads can fly farther forward than they would if they weren't in a car seat.

While it might be "ok" to put a FF kid in the front seat, I wouldn't do it unless absolutely necessary.

[jen_nah]

Depending on where you live, it might be illegal, too, depending on the child's age.

Keep in mind that a child restraint will also usually put the child closer to the airbag or dashboard (due to the shell), and because car seats make children sit up higher, their heads can fly farther forward than they would if they weren't in a car seat.

While it might be "ok" to put a FF kid in the front seat, I wouldn't do it unless absolutely necessary.

100% agree!

[Defrost]

Are you asking because you still want to keep your Mustang and you might not be able to fit two carseats in the back? :D

You definitely can't put a RF seat in the front, but a FF child in a harnessed seat is "iffy." The biggest problem with putting a FF harnessed seat in the front passenger seat is that it might be incompatible - that seat won't have LATCH, so you'll have to use the seat belt to install, and they are often quite tricky with front seat belts.

On top of that, you won't be able to use a top-tether.

On top of that, even assuming everything else is optimal, the back seat is 40% safer than the front seat. That's a really big difference - there's not much else you can do to improve your child's safety in the car besides putting them in the back seat.

[MustangMama]

Are you asking because you still want to keep your Mustang and you might not be able to fit two carseats in the back? :D

You definitely can't put a RF seat in the front, but a FF child in a harnessed seat is "iffy." The biggest problem with putting a FF harnessed seat in the front passenger seat is that it might be incompatible - that seat won't have LATCH, so you'll have to use the seat belt to install, and they are often quite tricky with front seat belts.

On top of that, you won't be able to use a top-tether.

On top of that, even assuming everything else is optimal, the back seat is 40% safer than the front seat. That's a really big difference - there's not much else you can do to improve your child's safety in the car besides putting them in the back seat.

Hmmmmmm......HOW'D YOU GUESS?!?! LOL.......

I do not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not want to have to get rid of my Stang!!

It's okay though- you guys don't have to worry. DH is a sperm protector so I don't foresee any rear facing seats in our future.

And if it does happen, I guess DH will just have to ride with his knees in the dashoard so the baby can sit behind him......:2thumbsup::ROTFLMAO:

[Defrost]

LOL! That pretty car in your avatar triggered my memory. :D

Honestly, *I* am not going to worry about your kid. I see enough of them standing up in the front seat that I don't really have time to worry about a properly restrained child in the front seat, yk? But I will say... maybe there is another car out there just waiting for you to love? ;)

[MustangMama]

LOL! That pretty car in your avatar triggered my memory. :D

Honestly, *I* am not going to worry about your kid. I see enough of them standing up in the front seat that I don't really have time to worry about a properly restrained child in the front seat, yk? But I will say... maybe there is another car out there just waiting for you to love? ;)

Hmm.....IDK! I hope so! I have always had sports cars so giving up on them will be hard for me. I did drive a Jeep Liberty for 5 months when I wrecked my Camaro but I *HAD TO* get rid of it. It was just not me! ;)


I should get off this car-seat forum and get on a CAR forum and find a larger vehicle I like.......:D

[Defrost]

I totally know the feeling - I'm a truck girl, myself. But trucks don't hold 6 very comfortably, and I've become a gas mileage snob. ;)

There are sporty cars that hold kids/carseats pretty well. I know we've got a few folks on the board who have them, but I can't remember what kind they are. I bet if you started a new thread in the Car Seats forum you'd get some suggestions.

[MustangMama]

Going to do that now...:whistle: Thanks

[Nisha]

Hmmm, DH races bratty teenagers in their souped-up sports cars with our Mini-van!

[MustangMama]

Hmmm, DH races bratty teenagers in their souped-up sports cars with our Mini-van!


HAHAHAHAHAHA I guess I could almost qualify for **one of those bratty teenagers** :evil grin:

[Nisha]

HAHAHAHAHAHA I guess I could almost qualify for **one of those bratty teenagers** :evil grin:

Well, at least your car is really as nice as you think it is - not just thinking you are faster than everyone else on the road just because you're young and cool! LOL!

[MustangMama]

Well, at least your car is really as nice as you think it is - not just thinking you are faster than everyone else on the road just because you're young and cool! LOL!

I KNOW! We have kids in our town with 1989 Honda Civic's that have one red door, broken windshield, blowing smoke and sounds like a lawnmower, AND THEY STILL WANT TO RACE ME!!!! How embarassing. Of course I let them win to feel cool and I have my baby in the back seat :thumbsup:

I had one guy pull up to me when I drove my Camaro and he hollered "I've got a 383 Stroker!!!!!" and revved up his engine.

I hollered back "Oh YEAH?! I've got a BABY IN THE BACKSEAT!" as I revved up my car.

He peeled out and I didn't even attempt to take him. LOL

People can be so childish. :ROTFLMAO:

[Defrost]

I KNOW! We have kids in our town with 1989 Honda Civic's that have one red door, broken windshield, blowing smoke and sounds like a lawnmower, AND THEY STILL WANT TO RACE ME!!!! How embarassing. Of course I let them win to feel cool and I have my baby in the back seat :thumbsup:

I had one guy pull up to me when I drove my Camaro and he hollered" I have a 383 Stroker." and revved up his engine.

I hollered back "Oh YEAH?! I have a BABY IN THE BACKSEAT!" as I revved up my car.

He peeled out and I didn't even attempt to take him. LOL

People can be so childish. :ROTFLMAO:

LMAO!!! That's a great comeback!

I need a comeback - every other month or so I get someone who thinks I want to race them because I have a pizza delivery sign on top of my car. :confused: I just laugh and let them blast by me.