Is a side curtain the same as side airbags?

chucksusanb · Jun 23, 2011

Hello again,

I realy appreciate all the knowledge I get from this site and I would like to thank you in advance for answering my questions.

We are looking to buy a new vehicle with 5* safety ratings all across for our family of 3. It looks like it is only the Crown Victoria, Town Car, Grand Marquis has those and they really are quite large and their middle seat in the 2nd row has a cup holder that folds in which makes seating quite uncomfortable for the middle passenger.

Anyway, my question is this:
Are side airbags the same thing as side curtain?? Is this standard on all vehicles? I am really confused.:question: about this. Someone told us curtain airbags are really really important.

Do they advertise this in the specifications of the vehicle? If it says just side airbags, should I assume that this is not curtain????

I'm very confused. We are looking for a VERY safe vehicle and our daughter will be seated in the center position in the 2nd row (so this does limit us since a lot of vehicles have bucket seats now).

Thank you kindly for all your help.

Sincerely,

Susan

Dillipop · Jun 23, 2011

Side curtain airbags deploy from near the ceiling and come done to protect the head. Side airbags come out of the front seats or the front pillars and protect the torso area of the front seat passengers.

My basic search is bringing up side airbags (the ones in front) as either options or standard for these vehicles.

Side curtains don't seem to be available.

If you can give us a little more information about what you are looking for, price range, years, etc. maybe we can help you figure out a vehicle that fits your specifications.

genesis0304 · Jun 23, 2011

If you are buying a new vehicle then it makes sense to get one with side curtain air bags, why spend all that money and not get the best protection you can?

The curtain air bags are located inside the A-Pillar (the part in between the windshield and the front windows) They extend over the windows and would protect the head from hitting the sides of the car in a crash.

Another thing that some cars have is whiplash protection on the head rests where they are spring loaded or have a small explosive charge

that when there is a front impact and you go forward the headrest or back of the seat move forward as well to protect your head. This won't do anything for your DD but something else to think about.

Good luck!

murphydog77 · Jun 24, 2011

chucksusanb said:
Is this standard on all vehicles? I am really confused.:question: about this. Someone told us curtain airbags are really really important.

Do they advertise this in the specifications of the vehicle? If it says just side airbags, should I assume that this is not curtain????

Hi Susan. I guess I'd be surprised if curtain airbags aren't standard because even basic model cars have them now. But you should always check the options list before you buy because they can't be added on later. One way you can tell if you're on the sales lot is to look up at the vehicle ceiling right at the edge near the doors. If there are curtains, there will be a mark somewhere that says SRS or Side Airbags or similar. Side torso bags are usually marked with a tag on the vehicle seat side.

Are they important? I wouldn't buy a car without them and felt so strongly about them that we traded in a vehicle without them for one with the curtains. Fortunately we were in a position to be able to do that.

I'm curious where you found that those vehicles are the only ones with 5 star ratings? I did a scan of the NHTSA safercar.gov site last night and found that the only sedans with 5 star ratings across the board were the '11 Honda Accord and the '11 Kia Optima. Large size doesn't always equal safety, though my grandmother in her '76 Buick Century tank always thought so, lol.

SavsMom · Jun 24, 2011

I always found it helpful to tell customers that side curtain airbags are just like curtains - they deploy from the ceiling and cover the glass on the side windows of the vehicle - much like curtains in your house.
Side airbags (non-curtain) deploy from the sides of the seat itself to protect your torso.

This site should give you a good visual:
http://thecarseatlady.blogspot.com/2010/05/side-air-bags-and-your-kids-what-you.html

Most vehicles come standard with side and curtain airbags now - thats not to say that all do. What models are you looking at?

chucksusanb · Jul 1, 2011

When I mentioned 5*, I meant 5* for rollover. Many other ones had it for front & side.

thanks everyone!

Is a side curtain the same as side airbags?

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