How Airbags Deploy: Understanding the Mechanics of Airbags

As much as no one wants to even think about being in an accident, it is vital that you familiarize yourself with one of the best defensive tools you have in your vehicle before you get out on the road. If you aim to be a safe driver who always has affordable auto insurance, asking, “How do air bags deploy?” will take you that much closer to achieving your goal.

Your air bag system is one of the most critical safety devices in your car. An air bag that deploys properly can protect you from serious injuries and, possibly, even death. Knowing how to make sure your air bag system is working is incredibly important.

Thankfully, with today’s technology, you can conduct an internet search for “auto insurance quotes” and “how do air bags deploy” and find free resources to help you. Keep reading to learn how to familiarize yourself with air bag systems so you can stay safe while driving.

If you’ve ever asked, “How do air bags deploy?” enter your ZIP code to get free insurance quotes from insurance companies near you that reward safe drivers.

How do air bags work?

Typically, air bags are packed tightly into your car’s dashboard, steering wheel, and along the sides of your car as well. Front air bags reside in the cabin, while side air bags are placed along the doors. Made up of flexible materials, your air bags are compressed until you are in a crash.

So how do air bags protect you? If your car is involved in a hard collision, your air bags’ crash sensors are alerted. Then, the air bags swell with air at incredible speeds and burst out to cushion you from the impact but keep you from being buffeted about the car’s cabin as well.

The crash sensors are very sensitive pieces of equipment that respond to sudden stopping and increased pressure. There are other sensors in the air bag control unit that measure:

• Wheel speed
• Seat occupant status
• Brake pressure
• Impact

Together, these sensors work to deploy your air bag just when you need it.

Do air bags deploy when a car is not moving? Yes, they certainly can because the sensors activate when pressure is exerted on them. This means that even if you are waiting at a stoplight and a car slams into yours, it exerts pressure on your vehicle. If it exerts enough pressure, your air bag sensors should react and deploy the air bag.

There are actually two types of air bag sensors found in cars: electrical and mechanical. Let’s examine the differences between the two, so you can properly measure up the pros and cons of these systems.

Electrical Airbag Sensors

You can find a variety of electrical air bag sensor designs, but many electrical sensors follow the same principles as the sensors that employ a “ball and tube” mechanism.

Within such a mechanism, there is a small tube that contains a circuit switch and ball. A small magnet holds these elements together. At a point of impact, the ball becomes dislodged and hits a switch in the tube. This forward movement completes the electrical circuit and releases the air bag.

Mechanical Airbag Sensors

While mechanical sensors have the same sort of responses as their electrical counterparts, they operate independently from your car’s electrical system.

These sensors are activated when a firing pin is released after a crash and causes a small explosion to propel the air bag forward. Free from any power source, a mechanical air bag sensor can’t be deactivated when your car battery is removed.

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Which type of air bag sensor is better?

Both sensors work well, and some car manufacturers use a combination of the two. This combination of an electrical and mechanical air bag system is known as an electromechanical system. Both Toyota and Jaguar design their vehicles with this type of system.

If you were to ask your auto insurance company, “How do air bags deploy?” you most likely wouldn’t get a scientific explanation. However, you would be told that, essentially, your air bag is working to keep you alive. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety reported that the number of driver fatalities was reduced by 29% due to the proper deployment of the drivers’ front air bags.

Airbag statistics are certainly impressive, and no matter which type of air bag sensor you have, you can rest easy knowing that your car can get you where you need to be safely.

What is the minimum speed for air bag deployment?

Have you ever wondered, “At what speed do air bags deploy in a front-end collision?”or “At what speed do air bags deploy in a side collision?”

If you were in an accident that triggered the release of your air bag, it would deploy in about 55 milliseconds, which translates to almost 200 miles per hour.

Since your air bag deploys in the blink of an eye, it is incredibly important that you always use your seat belt while driving.

Most air bags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belt safety. So, if you aren’t belted into your seat and are thrown from the proper position during an accident, you could be injured by your air bag.

How can drivers verify that their air bags are functional?

Just as you should ask questions before you buy auto insurance, asking, “How do air bags deploy, and how do I know if my air bags are working properly?” is a smart move for all car owners.

In order to know that your air bags are working properly, you need to learn to recognize the signs when something is wrong with your air bag system.

For example, if there is a problem, you should see the illuminated air bag light on your dashboard. If you see that light come on, you should contact your mechanic and have the car serviced right away.

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Are air bags costly to replace?

After taking all this in, you may now be asking yourself, “How much does it cost to replace an air bag?”

The cost of replacing an air bag will vary as the type of car you drive and the type of air bag you need play a role in determining that dollar amount. For example, you may have to pay anywhere between $400 and $800 to replace your driver’s side air bag. However, you could pay as much as $1,000 for a new passenger-side air bag.

But air bags are well worth the price tag that accompanies them. As a reminder of the importance of your air bag system, take a look at how many lives air bags have saved in past years:

Lives Saved by Safety Restraints and Airbags over 27 Years

Year	Seat Belts (age 5+)	Frontal Air Bags	Child Restraints (age 4 and younger)
1975–2007	241,865	25,294	8,884
2008	13,312	2,557	262
2009	12,757	2,481	281
2010	12,670	2,403	286
2011	12,071	2,341	245
2012	12,386	2,422	267
2013	12,644	2,398	246
2014	12,801	2,400	236
2015	14,062	2,597	255
2016	14,753	2,774	319
2017	14,955	2,790	325
Total	374,276	50,457	11,606

Read more: How much does it cost to replace an airbag?

Your air bag system is complex and requires the knowledge of a professional to fix or replace, but the security it can offer you and your passengers is priceless.

Your Airbag System Explained

Your air bag system is typically located in the front of your car, and many cars often have them lined along the sides, too. When pressure is exerted upon your vehicle during a collision, sensitive crash sensors trigger the release of your air bag. In under 60 seconds, the air bag fills with air and is deployed to protect you.

Airbags have saved many drivers’ lives and prevented others from serious injury. However, you should always wear your seat belt properly so you aren’t knocked out of position by an impact and then hit by your air bag in a way that does more harm than good.

Realize that safety features like air bags can help lower your auto insurance rates. If you want to know, “How do air bags deploy, and how do I find cheap insurance?” enter your ZIP code to get free quotes from insurance companies near you today.

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