I would like to find if,1) there are issues with the 2006 f-150 airbags not deploying and 2)will the airbags deploy without seatbelts being utilized?
thanks
mekster1

 

i was wondering the same things the other night, so i got the manual out and started reading. just figureing out whether the airbag is armed is impossible! to many light on, light off scenerios to figure out.

the way i read it, it works by pressure on the seat. if so then the bag should deploy with out the belt being in use, but at a much slower inflation rate. they call it a "smart air bag system."

if you figure it out, let me know will ya!


jim

 

The seats likely to be set up with a weight sensor. It will help the vehicle determine what type of occupant is seated in front of AIRBAG. Yes the systems are "smart" they contain two differnt stages. These stages will be deployed in a manner deterimned by the vehicle crash dynamics, and other imputs, one of which is seatbelt usage. The modules have two stages to accomodate a 5th occupant and a 50th occupant. Or an average adult female to an average adult male. Each has different restraint needs due to weight and size.

Yes the AIRBAGs will deploy if the seatbelt is not used and the vehicle senses an occupant in the seat. But be smart wear he seat belt. The AIRBAG is developed as a complete system with the seatbelt, and works best when both are used together.

People who do not wear a seatbelt have created more useless testing for the AIRBAG manufactures to cover their lazy butt.

 

Thank you for your answers, they are as I suspected but was unsure of. Unfortunately, we have had a death in the family where the airbags did not deploy in a 2006 f-150 (without seatbelt usage), I am just trying to settle my mind. A terrible tragedy to a 23 year old, father of 2.

I also understand side impacts should withhold the airbags from deployment, however, front impacts should deploy the same. For some reason, the front impact (knocking the front end back a good 12") did not activate the airbag system.

You are all correct, seatbelts should be worn at all times, and even in a full size truck, you are not immune to tragedy.

thank you.
mike

 

lets clear some things up. the ford trucks use a seat belt velocity sensor (long grey box attached to the lower buckle mounted to the floor) if the seatbelt is not used the air bag will not deploy.

 

ok, now we have something else to figure out.

thank you ford390, i can understand why that would be so.
i was meerly going by what i read in my owners manual.


jim

 

Mike,
Sorry to hear about this tragedy. A sobering reminder to all that choose not to wear seatbelts....

 

First let me say I am sorry to hear off your loss.

Now let me continue.


Where does this information come from? The federal goverenment FMVSS208 requires that auto manufatcures conduct both belted and unbelted test. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Vehicle%20Safety/Test%20Procedures/Associated%20Files/TP208-13-Sections1-14.pdf

In the unbelted test the airbag must deploy. Hence my comment about the additional testing that is required due to individuals who do not wear there seat belt and need to be restrained. Now if the vehicle has been equiped with a feature as I mentioned above where it looks for an occupant based on a weight sensor the bag may not deploy if no occupant is sensed in that seat.

Vehicle manufactures could not release a vehicle that would not deploy the airbag if the seat belt was not in use. The legal implications are just to high. Our countries obsession with "it is not my fault" lawsuits that pay out 100's of millions of dollars to single indviduals because of "neglicance" on the manufactures part not the users part make it that way. Even when the injured was blatently using a product in an incorrect manner.

The restraint systems are extremely complecated, with specific computers dedicated just to restraints with multiple sensors, and double checks to insure they function correctly. Anything that may fault the restraint system will trigger the airbag light or a warning light.

Now depending on how the vehicle is hit may determine if the bag does or does not deploy. An extreme angular impact may not trigger one of frontal bags as mekster1 mentioned about side airbags in a frontal impact.

 

Triple 8...so what you imply is that if a person was not buckled in...and if the airbag was operational, and if a driver was thrown up out of the seat, and if the impact occurred at that exact moment, the airbags would NOT deploy?

I have also heard the belts must be fastened before the airbags will deploy, but then I hear the belts may not be fastened for the airbags to deploy. Is it a fact the belt must be used? If so, we have a huge misunderstanding out in the public regarding airbags.

Thank you all for your condolences.

 

The first question I guess should be answered is was the person the driver or passenger?
mekster I do not have any knowledge of the accident or how it may have occured. I do not want to imply anything with out eing educated about it. However belts do not need to be worn for the airbags to work. There may ne other systems in place that wuld not let the bag deploy if an occupabt was not sensed. But if a vehicle does not have these features both bags will deploy regardless.
Keep in mind that these devices work in milliseconds. So the possibility of someone being out of the seat at the instant the bag should deploy is extremely small.

 

mekster

send me a message off line and I will do my best to explain if you have more questions

 

there should be a way to manually turn off the bags. Kind of like the Jeeps..

 

is300wrx,

For the driver no...

For the passenger, the sensors in the seat decide how and if the air bag deploys.

Don't you have a 05? If so, you should know there is no way to "turn off" the air bags

 

I just totaled my 00 f150 yesterday in a huge front end impact and my bags did NOT deploy. WTF is up with that? I ended up busting my head open. Who do contact at FORD to complain to?
Craig