[deaglecat]

Hi, my MCS owners manual (UK) states that the Mini Service centre can advise how the passenger airbag may be temporarily disabled - e.g. if you unexpectedly need to carry a child in the front (...rather than the rear which is of course safer).

I asked my dealer but he stated that the only way to do this was via a special seat belt and a £300 modification to the car. Not a very temporary solution !

Has anyone else had any more luck in getting this information - or is the manual incorrect/misleading ?

Cheers


Deagle.
EB/W MCS, Chili, DSC, Head Airbags.

[abstract]

I remember asking this question specifically at the time I picked up my Cooper last spring. I was told by the dealer that the passenger seat has a scale (trip mechanism) built in that automatically turns the air bag off if the passenger's weight does not reach some threshold and that my 60 pound child would be below the threshold.

Hope this helps,
Paul

[deaglecat]

Thanks for the reply. But I am not sure that your dealer gave you correct information...

The US manual states....

"...If it is necessary for a child - not an infant - to ride in the the front seat, certain precautions should be taken. First move the passenger seat as far away from the instrument as possible..."

The UK manual states....

"Consequently, if on some occasion you have no option but to use a child restraint system on the front passenger seat, the front airbag on the passenger side has to be disbled. MINI service will gladly advise on how the airbag on the front passenger's side can be temorarily disabled."

So there are now 4 possible answers...
1. Dealer modification, fit new belt etc. (UK dealer)
2. Not possible - just move the child as far away from the bag as possible (US Owners Manual).
3. It is automatically taken care of by weight of child (US dealer).
4. Can be done temporarily but you need to know how to deactiviate (UK Owners manual).

There should not be confusion on this important safety issue.

I will take it up with Mini UK... anyone got a contact e-mail address ?

[Racer]

deaglecat

I've had an ongoing conversation with UK dealer re this - I have the fuses removed for racing which I originally thought (and was told) disabled all airbags - Subsequenlty I found it only disabled the seat bags - I HAVE to carry a child in the front because the roll cage does not allow entry to the rear - I would be very very interested if there was a temporary solution since I only know of the permanent solution

R

[olerud400]

Though I don't have a solution I have a thought that couild be important. In addition do not forget about the curtain air bag in the A-pillar or the seat bag (previously mentioned).

Adam

[jdudley]

I know a woman that found a company who will put switches on the passenger airbags for you... it may be a US thing though.

[Steven]

If you are getting someone to add switches to your car I would suggest consulting your local dealer. I have had customers add things like car starters to their BMWs and it really messes with the cars electronics. If you want the airbags dissabled ask your dealer. I wouldn't trust anyone to make changes to these compnents on my car.

[Phat_Mini]

Hi

I have chages my front seats in my mini to cobra seats and asked dealer if they could disable the air bag system as the light is always on as my car does not have air bags in fron seats anymore.

They told me the only way they would do it was if i changed the seat belt clip that is attached to the seat.At this point i didn t bother looking into it anymore.

As i am aware also is the JCW cars have the airbag light on all the time aswell

Phat

[BrantV]

Quote:

Originally posted by olerud400
Though I don't have a solution I have a thought that couild be important. In addition do not forget about the curtain air bag in the A-pillar or the seat bag (previously mentioned).

Adam

The head curtain shouldn't be a problem for children. The big problem with airbags and child safety seats, is that the seats tend to put the child within the intended volume of the airbag. Airbags deploy via a controlled explosion, and will occupy their intended space with no regard for what may already be there. They also deploy at about 200 mph. The worst is a rear facing child seat, as they protrude well into the intended volume of the airbag. In the battle for space unfortunately the airbag wins. What you end up with is a child getting hit in the face, or from behind at 120-200 mph which is why there were so many fatalities even at relatively slow impacts.

With the head curtain, is your child booster seat places the child high enough to be effected, then perhaps they've outgrown the seat.

I'd have more concern over the side airbag in the seat. I suppose it would depend on how wide the child seat was. Oregon just passed a law that requires booster seats for children until they are 12 or above 60 lbs. (Not absolute on the weight).

My truck has a key operated override for the front airbag, which I sometimes forget to re-enable for adults. Luckily there's a light, and a few were alert enough to notice it and remind me.

I'd love to be able to temporarily, and on a drive by drive basis, disable the front airbag in the MINI. Preferably via a key switch like I do currently. As fast as my niece is approaching a size and weight that will no longer require a booster seat, at 5 I'm in no rush to remove her from the seat, and I know she enjoys the view from the front seats.