
Airbags are generally located in three positions inside the vehicle: the front (driver and passenger seats), the sides (front and rear rows), and the roof. Typically, car airbags are marked with "AIRBAG" on the body, and the airbag is usually located below or next to this marking. Here is a detailed explanation: 1. Front Airbags: The driver's front airbag is installed in the center of the steering wheel. To avoid unnecessary deployment, avoid striking the center of the steering wheel. 2. Passenger Airbags: Passenger airbags are located in the front passenger seat and rear seats. 3. Side Airbags: Side airbags are usually located on the outer side of the seats or installed on the upper frame of the side doors. Some models may have them installed on the A-pillar. 4. Knee Airbags: Knee airbags are installed below the dashboard to cushion the impact on the legs during a collision.

As a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, I've long been familiar with airbag locations. There's one hidden right in the steering wheel center for the driver, and a large one inside the passenger dashboard. Long side curtain airbags run along both roof edges from front to rear, deploying like parachutes during side impacts. Each front seatback's outer side conceals a thorax airbag, while door panels hide additional side airbags. Modern cars go further - knee airbags are installed under the steering column, and rear seatbacks now incorporate airbags too. These positions are determined through thousands of crash tests, working with seatbelts to form comprehensive protection. When car shopping, I pay special attention to airbag count - more means greater safety for my family.

The airbag layout is actually quite meticulous. The driver's airbag is embedded in the steering wheel hub, while the passenger's is hidden behind the dashboard plastic cover. At the junction of the A-pillar and roof, there are tubular curtain airbag storage slots that deploy from the roof edge in case of a side impact. The front seats conceal thorax airbags in their stitching, and high-end cars even have them in the rear seatbacks for passengers. The most easily overlooked is the knee airbag under the instrument panel, which prevents legs from hitting hard plastic. These airbags, working with a sensor network, can fully inflate in 0.03 seconds. But be careful not to place phone mounts on airbag covers - they could turn into projectiles when deployed.

The airbags in the car are quite comprehensive. The driver's steering wheel and the dashboard above the glove box on the passenger side are the basic configurations. Curtain airbags are hidden along the roof edges above the side windows, extending from the windshield to the rear window. Two side airbags are sewn into the front seat backs, and some luxury cars also have them in the rear seats. Knee airbags are installed below the steering column and under the passenger storage compartment. Nowadays, vehicle crash tests have strict requirements, and at least six or seven airbags are necessary for safety. Remember not to use seat covers that block the side airbag positions, as this can affect their deployment.

When repairing cars, the airbag modules are often disassembled. The round module in the center of the steering wheel is the easiest to replace and can be removed with a specialized screwdriver. The passenger airbag assembly requires dismantling the entire dashboard frame and is located at the top of the glove box. The roof curtain airbags are inside the headliner and require removing the ABCD pillar trim panels. The side airbags in the seats need to be taken out by undoing the stitching, and the leather must be re-sewn after reinstallation. The most troublesome is the control module under the floor, which requires a lift to operate. After replacement, a diagnostic tool must be used to reset the system; otherwise, the warning light will stay on. Some car manufacturers now use new materials, making the hard plastic covering the airbag positions softer to reduce the risk of abrasions.


