Question Airbags: How close is too close?

Dorothy · Jun 8, 2011

Let's say you have a car seat at a 45* recline behind a passenger seat. It requires the passenger seat to be scooted up towards the dash. How much distance do you need for someone to safely ride in the passenger seat?

I can't comfortably ride in either of my vehicles with a reclined seat behind the passenger seat. I feel like I'm on top of the dash. But that could just be a comfort issue, not necessarily a safety one.

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creideamh · Jun 8, 2011

I believe I read on one of the NHTSA's websites (the one about airbags) that there should be ten inches between you and the dash/steering wheel to not be very, very injured by the airbags. Or something. Let me see if I can find it again...

creideamh · Jun 8, 2011

Here ya go... last question.

http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/Air+Bags/General+FAQ

Dorothy · Jun 8, 2011

Thx! I shoulda looked myself, but I was sure someone would have the answer handy. ;-)

Meanwhile, my knees are already only 3" from the glove compartment. With my knees on the dash, my upper body is 18" from the airbag. And my seat is only 2 clicks back from fully upright. I sit with my hips completely back, too. I simply would not fit with a seat reclined to 45* behind me.

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momtotwogirls · Jun 8, 2011

Ive been told you should be able to fit a 8x11 in paper between you and the airbag length wise. So 11 inches.

bigteamug · Jun 8, 2011

Hmm. So would I be safe assuming that I should install a space-eating RF seat on the passenger side, since that front airbag is further away from a front passenger than the one in the steering wheel?

Carrie_R · Jun 8, 2011

Actually I asked a similar question yesterday, and both seats should be back at least 10" from the steering column. Passenger airbag deploys further. Pixels linked me an illustration, I will find it as soon as I get back to my computer.

LISmama810 · Jun 8, 2011

Carrie_R said:
Actually I asked a similar question yesterday, and both seats should be back at least 10" from the steering column. Passenger airbag deploys further. Pixels linked me an illustration, I will find it as soon as I get back to my computer.

They wind up at the same distance, but I don't know that they deeply with the same force/speed. I don't know if that makes a difference in how far back someone needs to sit. Until I get further clarification, I'm going with 10" from the point of deployment.

Question Airbags: How close is too close?

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