[milliethemini]

........which when you think about it explains why the 2-spoke steering wheel was designed the way it was in the first place.

The lightbulb came on when I brought up the topic of the 3-spoke steering wheel with one of the sales guys at the dealership where I got my MCS. "Oh, so you might break your arm now, instead of possibly just your thumbs, he said". "WHAT????", I replied.

He then described a scenario where you have your hand on the horn (on the 3-spoke steering wheel) when the MINI hits something in the front and the steering wheel airbag goes off, there's a possibility of breaking or fracturing your hand, or even worse causing some trauma to your chest from the impact of your hand smacking against it.

I didn't think this was very likely, then realized that there were instances when such a scenario could play out - ie. a vehicle swerves or pulls out in front of you, you push the horn to warn them but it's too late, and you slam into the back of the vehicle and the airbag goes off.

With the two spoke steering wheel, the two horn buttons are set away from the airbag enclosure, which is probably to keep your hands away from the airbag when it activates, even if you are using the horn.

What do the rest of you think about this? I wonder if there are any statistics on injuries such as this from steering wheels where the horn and airbag are in the same spot. It could be that the chances of this happening is so remote, that the convenience (and increased safety) of having the horn button in the centre is worth the risk.

[Goonery]

The airbag deploys from over the top of the horn button, so you wo'nt get MINI imprinted on your forehead , or break your hand /Arm , good point though

[milliethemini]

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

The airbag deploys from over the top of the horn button, so you wo'nt get MINI imprinted on your forehead , or break your hand /Arm , good point though

That's bloody brilliant, Goonery!!! I knew that if anyone could give me the definite word on this, it's you

Time for me to drop by my dealership and impart this bit of valuable wisdom to them. You won't believe how much info they have gotten from me that has helped them answer the questions of potential buyers in their showroom. I have to thank the MINI2 temple for that!!

[APJ]

I would argue that if ever the scenario came where you hit something hard/fast enough for the airbags to deploy, you wouldn't physically be able to move your hand from the wheel to the horn to beep in time before hitting it anyhow...

[CHRYSt]

Yeah, It's a possibility, though I like to think they'd engineered the possibility into the design like goonery said.

You also need to realize that it's an issue with ANY steering wheel. If you're driving with your hands on the top of the wheel, the airbag could deploy into your arms. It's a lot of the reason driving instructors these days teach the 3/9 o'clock positions rather than the 10/2.

[averyocooper]

this is also why they dont teach the hand-over-hand turning technique anymore. the new official technique to turning is the push-pull method as if you are driving a big truck wheel or vw bus ( you push with one hand and pull with the other, never crossing over hands).
-a

[Goonery]

i've experienced airbag deployment, its almost painless, but the the ears ring for sometime after.

[andyupnorth]

Dunno if it's still the case but you used to fail your driving test here for using the hand over hand method (crossing hands). You were taught the push pull method a la the Police Roadcraft manual. Then once you'd passed your test you forgot all that and did what comes naturally.

[JerseyMini]

I thought that the buttons were on either side of the MINI 2-spoke airbag as the costs of developing an airbag wheel were lower by taking this route than by combining the horn & airbag in the centre of the wheel.
If the safety issues of the 3 spoke wheel is so great, how come this is the option that BMW pursues on every one of its 3-spoke wheels?

[ScottinBend]

My own personal experience with airbags would concur with millie. I had a relative go thru that exact same scenario and one of his wrists was broken as a direct result of the airbag deploying in a slow speed accident. He was in the process of hitting the horn, located in the middle of his steering wheel, to warn the idiot that was pulling out infront of him that he was there. The natural instinct of most drivers is too hit the brakes and the horn at the same time. This is a good warning to all drivers with airbags.

Scott

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottinBend

My own personal experience with airbags would concur with millie. I had a relative go thru that exact same scenario and one of his wrists was broken as a direct result of the airbag deploying in a slow speed accident. He was in the process of hitting the horn, located in the middle of his steering wheel, to warn the idiot that was pulling out infront of him that he was there. The natural instinct of most drivers is too hit the brakes and the horn at the same time. This is a good warning to all drivers with airbags.

Scott

I'm not sure what they sell the MINI with in the US, but everywhere else the MINI gets Secondard Restrait System airbags. Ie, they are meant to be used with a seatbelt. So, they aren't as aggressive as American PRS airbags, and deploy only in bigger accidents.

I know with the 2 spoke wheel that the airbag deploys out of the middle, and the cover swings out of the way. I believe that if you had your hand on it when it went off it would be BIG trouble.

How many of you never cross your arms when driving??