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Do you remember which member it was - or know what I search for to try to locate any related threads?There is a forum member who had a vehicle with side air bags. She got seat covers custom-made and modified so that they would be safe with the airbags and not interfere. Well, she was in a side impact and the seat covers did interfere with the airbag and she was injured as a result.
So no, I wouldn't use them in a vehicle with side airbags mounted in the vehicle seat.
Do you remember which member it was - or know what I search for to try to locate any related threads?
I've had this arguement with DH before. He wants custom covers for the front seats of his truck. My foot is firmly planted and he hasn't done it, but he just doesn't want to believe it'd be an issue since they claim to be "crash tested" and there's even a YouTube video demonstrating how the airbags will deploy through the cover.
OP, to answer your question, no, they are not safe. They are not tested WITH your vehicle BY the manufacturer. If there are sensors and airbags in your vehicle seats, then seat cover(s), even though they may be custom, may cause fault in how airbags/sensors perform.
Dear Brianna,
Thank you for contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to inquire about the seat covers for your 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.
Seat covers will not interfere with the deployment of the air bag, since it does not deploy from the seat. Front air bag systems in GM vehicles are triggered to deploy when the system detects and verifies a sudden deceleration. Similarly, side impact sensors mounted in the doors or posts of the vehicle detect sudden lateral deceleration and, once verified, signal deployment of the side impact air bags (if equipped).
An electrical signal is sent to the Air Bag Inflator (front or side) which begins a chemical reaction that produces (harmless) Nitrogen Gas. This happens very quickly and inflates the bag (s) in less than 1/40 of a second. The bags are vented and deflate on their own.
Since you are interested in purchasing seat covers, I recommend that you contact the Parts Department at your local dealership regarding your request. They have been established by Chevrolet as a comprehensive resource for all part information concerning pricing, availability and compatibility.
My email to Chevrolet:
Are there any seat covers that have been crash tested and approved to use? I'm interested in protecting my seats but don't want to interfere with airbag deployment.
Their response:
Thoughts?
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