SIde Airbags and side curtains?

spinjunkie53 · 12-31-2005, 08:29 AM

Can someone explain the difference between airbags and curtains? On the Prius, an option is to get front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags. Not sure I understand the difference.

Wynder · 12-31-2005, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spinjunkie53@Dec 31 2005, 09:29 AM
Can someone explain the difference between airbags and curtains? On the Prius, an option is to get front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags. Not sure I understand the difference.

[snapback]181945[/snapback]

Go here:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap...ges/SABFAQs.htm

And go to the question:
What are side-impact air bags (SABs) and where are they located?

And you'll see seat mounted and curtain airbags... it's strictly where they're mounted at.

**efusco** · 12-31-2005, 10:02 AM

Side impact I think of as protecting the torso from the direct impact into the side of the car. Side curtain as a protection for the head, particularly in case of roll-over---skidding your head on the pavement isn't pretty. <_<

narf · 12-31-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wynder@Dec 31 2005, 07:05 AM
Go here:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap...ges/SABFAQs.htm

And go to the question:
What are side-impact air bags (SABs) and where are they located?

And you'll see seat mounted and curtain airbags... it's strictly where they're mounted at.

[snapback]181959[/snapback]

The curtains are mounted in the trim above the front windows and blow downward in a side collision, protecting the head and shoulders. The seat mounted airbags are in the side bolsters of the seat and protect the ribs and torso from a side impact. In most cars the control system only fires the airbags in the direction of impact.

**efusco** · 12-31-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by narf@Dec 31 2005, 10:10 AM
The curtains are mounted in the trim above the front windows and blow downward in a side collision, protecting the head and shoulders. The seat mounted airbags are in the side bolsters of the seat and protect the ribs and torso from a side impact. In most cars the control system only fires the airbags in the direction of impact.

[snapback]181988[/snapback]

I thought the yaw sensors also allowed deployment in case of rollover... or maybe that's just the Highlander Hybrid I'm thinking of?

habel · 12-31-2005, 11:22 AM

The following picture shows the curtains covering the side windows, while the side airbag covers the side of the front seat:

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12-31-2005, 08:29 AM	#1
spinjunkie53 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 37 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Can someone explain the difference between airbags and curtains? On the Prius, an option is to get front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags. Not sure I understand the difference.

12-31-2005, 10:02 AM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,059 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	Side impact I think of as protecting the torso from the direct impact into the side of the car. Side curtain as a protection for the head, particularly in case of roll-over---skidding your head on the pavement isn't pretty. <_<

12-31-2005, 11:22 AM	#6
habel Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 230 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The following picture shows the curtains covering the side windows, while the side airbag covers the side of the front seat: