Toyota Side Airbags

[Avalonman]

Why aren't side airbags standard on all Toyota's?

[RningOnFumes]

toyotas sell without them already.

i've notice those cars showing airbags standard are ones trying to get your attention.

----though i'm not down playing safety...i think it's economics

[nodrogkam]

honestly they should be standard. I can see the side courtain airbags becoming a standard in a year or two, along with knee airbags. Although there is still tweeking to be done on knee airbags as a lot of people get injured from them if they arent properly situated.

[drunken_panda]

I agree that sideairbags will become standard in a few years. Think about how much explosives are around you in some cars: Drivers airbag, knee airbag, foot airbag, side curtain air bag, torso airbag, whiplash headrest (the kind that move foward), pretensioners. I believe that all of the are operatred by a gun powder substance.

[nodrogkam]

Originally Posted by drunken_panda

I agree that sideairbags will become standard in a few years. Think about how much explosives are around you in some cars: Drivers airbag, knee airbag, foot airbag, side curtain air bag, torso airbag, whiplash headrest (the kind that move foward), pretensioners. I believe that all of the are operatred by a gun powder substance.

I'm straight up scared of airbags...if i was gunna hit something or someone was gunna hit me and knew it i could probably brace for it. My question is tho...where should our arms and legs be if we know we are going to get hit or be hit. Say in a frontal impact...remove hands from steeringwheel and put them out to the sides? I know that ur hands will be moved one way or another by the airbag.

These things they never teach you in drivers ed which ticks me off, especially for how much those courses cost.

[drunken_panda]

Generally the air bags will not hurt your arms if you are hold the wheel. They go out then inflate. But if you saw that you were going to hit something, I would hold my hands up (like a stick up), remove my feet from the pedals and place them flat on the floor, and sit up straight in the seat. But if you have time to do this, the accident could have been avoided.

[nodrogkam]

i think i'd do everything you said but let go of the brake (providing i was braking). mmmm its just interesting cos you see these crash dummies in the test crashes but you dont see many tests on dummies in diferent positions. they are always the ideal height and in the ideal position. How many individuals drive cars sitting in proper position etc?

[BlueCam]

Originally Posted by drunken_panda

I believe that all of the are operatred by a gun powder substance.

Not Gunpowerder....My teacher had me do something about airbags for extra credit...it wasn't gunpowder stuff, instead, its chemicals. PM me if you are curious enough for more info.

Heres a Site...i'm such a nerd...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/airbag1.htm

[nodrogkam]

mmm fergot about that site! =) good stuff.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

I'm straight up scared of airbags...if i was gunna hit something or someone was gunna hit me and knew it i could probably brace for it. My question is tho...where should our arms and legs be if we know we are going to get hit or be hit. Say in a frontal impact...remove hands from steeringwheel and put them out to the sides? I know that ur hands will be moved one way or another by the airbag.

These things they never teach you in drivers ed which ticks me off, especially for how much those courses cost.

I'd still hold the steering wheel. The reason why most fatal crashes, it's the front passenger that dies is because the driver at the wheel to brace him/herself. Apparently, 9-3 or even 5-7 is fine. 10-2 is supposedly in the way of the airbag. I'm not sure, I've never had an airbag blow up in my face but it's what I've heard on tv on one of those driving school snippets between ads. As long as you're sitting properly in the seat, you'll be fine. If you're out of position (e.g. leaning to one side or sitting on one side of your bum), you might suffer injuries due to the awkward position.

[drunken_panda]

If you brace yourself on the wheel, you might break your arms. If they are clear, your entire upper torso can be used against the air bag to absorb the force. The key is to try and not tenseing up, this can lead to broken bones. Kinda like how a sky diver lands.