Description:
Side-Impact airbags come in two
different types: torso-protecting and head/torso protecting. Of the car models built in
2003, 40 percent offered head-protecting side airbags (24 percent standard equipment,
16 percent optional equipment).
An even larger
number of 2004 model year passenger vehicles
are offering side airbags
with head protection (27 percent standard equipment, 21
percent optional equipment).
Purpose: Side-impact airbags provide
supplemental protection during side impacts. Some types provide
protection for just the torso, or for both the head and
torso. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, side-impact
airbags have reduced deaths among passenger car drivers involved
in driver-side collisions by about 45 percent when the
side airbag included
head
protection and by 11
percent when the
side airbag was designed to protect only the
torso.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Side-impact airbags do not require any
periodic maintenance. However, to ensure that the system is
operating properly, make sure that the airbag indicator light works
exactly as described in the owner's manual. With the ignition in the
on position, the light should come on momentarily and then go out.
If the light stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by a professional service technician. Also, air bags
sometimes have defects that are covered under a recall from the
manufacturer. To see if your vehicle is covered, visit the National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration site at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
