Is There an Airbag on the Steering Wheel?
4 Answers
There is an airbag on the steering wheel. The driver's airbag is installed on the steering wheel. Locations of airbags: Airbags are located beneath the interior markings labeled 'airbag'. They are typically found on the steering wheel, the upper part of the glove compartment on the passenger side, the A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar, and front seats. Function of airbags: The airbag system is a passive safety protection system (see vehicle safety performance). When used in conjunction with seat belts, it provides effective collision protection for occupants. In the event of a car collision, airbags can reduce head injuries by 25% and facial injuries by approximately 80%.
I've been driving for over a decade, and that raised part in the center of the steering wheel is indeed the airbag. I remember last time when my colleague's car got rear-ended, the airbag deployed right in front of his face, and he only suffered minor injuries. This airbag inflates and pops out instantly during a frontal collision, protecting your head and chest from hitting the steering wheel. When driving normally, be careful not to hang decorations on the steering wheel, as those items could turn into projectiles if the airbag deploys. Also, there's an airbag indicator light on the dashboard - if it comes on, get it checked immediately, otherwise it might fail when you need it most. Don't use high-pressure water jets to clean the center of the steering wheel either, as it could damage the airbag's electronic components. Nowadays even domestic cars come standard with this feature, making it the most basic safety equipment.
Behind the horn button on the steering wheel hides the driver's airbag. It's triggered by crash sensors and can fully inflate within 0.03 seconds upon collision. Having disassembled old cars, I've seen deployed airbags resemble large pillows that cushion impact. However, they must be used with seat belts, otherwise rapid forward motion may cause injury from airbag deployment. During repairs, I've found some older vehicles have expired airbags - the rubber materials degrade and become ineffective after fifteen years. Newer models now incorporate weight sensors to adjust airbag deployment force based on driver's physique. These thoughtful design details are truly human-centric.
The steering wheel indeed has an airbag mounted at its center. In modern vehicle crash tests, the protective performance of the steering wheel airbag accounts for over 30% of the total score. It operates via a gas generator located behind the steering wheel, which releases nitrogen to inflate the nylon airbag upon collision. Daily driving requires maintaining a proper seating position with at least 25 cm distance from the steering wheel to ensure sufficient cushioning space when the airbag deploys. Always seek professional shops for steering wheel modifications, as tampering with wiring may cause airbag system malfunctions. Last time, a neighbor's DIY steering wheel modification resulted in a constantly illuminated airbag warning light, later diagnosed as a loose wiring harness connector. Remember, after airbag deployment, the entire system must be replaced—merely repairing the airbag is illegal.
