Re: Disabling Airbag

["Scott M." <scottmo@teleport.com>]

Vikram,

IMHO, before deciding to disable the drivers side air bag
on your car, you may want to spend some time at the library
and do some research on the number of air bag injuries that
occur with fully belted drivers. Invariably all the studies
I have read, indicate that most severe air bag injuries
occurred when the driver or passenger was not wearing a
seat belt. SAE has published many articles on this over the
past few years. If you are interested, I can do a search
for any air bag injury related articles from SAE.

A friend who has a business that services air bag and
safety systems will never disconnect an air bag for any
reason. The only exception is the factory disable switch
provided in some Pickup trucks for disabling the passenger
side air bag in the event infants or small children are
riding along. 

Again, IMHO, I would rather let the air bag operate as
designed than to live with the consequences of not having
an airbag during a very severe accident and then wondering
if the air bag that you decided to disable would have saved
the life of your wife or loved one. I realize the converse
could be said for not disabling the air bag, I just don't
believe all the hype and rumors perpetuated by the media on
this one. Do the research and then try and make an informed
decision.

Just my $0.02
Scott M.
----------
> From: Mittal, Vikram (SUPP) <Vikram.Mittal@supply.ge.com>
> To: 'quattro' <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
> Subject: Disabling Airbag
> Date: Wednesday, November 05, 1997 7:37 AM
> 
> 
> I would like to disable the airbag in my 1990 Audi 100. 
My wife is 
> 5' 1" and I am always concerned since she sits quite
close to the
> steering wheel.  
> 
> I have considered pedal extenders but then since I am 6'
tall it
> would be a problem when I drove the car (I think).  The
best solution
> would be to either
> 
> 1. Disable the airbag permanently
> 2. Put in a switch
> 
> If anybody know how I can do either, please send me the
directions.
> Thanks.
> 
> Regards,
> Vikram.