Kia Sportage Turn Off Passenger Airbag? Best 191 Answer

Car seat experts are urging parents not to let children sit in the front passenger seat of a car.

In a post on Facebook, Child Seat Safety says children under the age of 12 “are at greatest risk of frontal airbag deployment in an accident.”

The post also emphasizes that anyone installing a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat is required by law to first disable the airbag.

Child Seat Safety says: “Young children, particularly children under the age of 12, should ideally not be in the front passenger seat as they are at greatest risk if the front airbag deploys in a crash.

“To avoid this hazard, be careful where you place children, especially infants in safety seats and young children.

“It is recommended that children be placed in the back seat and in appropriate child seats secured with a seat belt.

“You should always check and follow the specific guidance provided by your vehicle manufacturer.”

“More safely restrained in the back seats”

Official government recommendations state that “children are generally safer in the back seats” of vehicles using seat belts.

The DfT’s ‘Car Airbags: Safety Advice’ adds: “When deciding where children should travel in your car, you should always follow the vehicle and child restraint manufacturer’s recommendations.

“When transporting children in the front seat, they should always be properly buckled in and the seat should be locked as far back as possible.”

Julie Dagnall, director of child seat safety and UK road safety specialist for child car seats, told the Manchester Evening News: “It is important to check the vehicle handbook for instructions before placing a child seat in the passenger seat.

“By law, an airbag must be deactivated when using a rear-facing car seat. Data on UK road collisions shows that it is safer to sit in the back seats and children should therefore use these wherever possible.”

2022 Kia Sportage safety features

If you are looking for a cutting-edge and sporty design, as well as performance, practicality and comfort, the 2022 Kia Sportage is the SUV for you. It also offers dynamic performance, superior technology and great connectivity. But what about security? At Auffenberg Kia in Cape Girardeau, MO, we bring you an overview of the safety features of the 2022 Kia Sportage.

What are the Kia Drive Wise features of the Kia Sportage 2022?

Blind Spot Collision Warning uses a radar-based detection system to look for objects in your blind spot and gives you audio-visual signals as a warning. Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection warns you of an impending collision with a vehicle or pedestrian and even stops the 2022 Kia Sportage if you don’t react.

Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go helps maintain a preset distance from the vehicle in front. So if the vehicle stops in front of you, do it too! The high-beam assistant is a great help on motorways. It automatically dims the high beams when a vehicle approaches and switches to high beam mode once the vehicle drives past. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision scans for passing vehicles when backing into a parking space.

How does the Kia Sportage 2022 protect you off-road?

The electronic stability control and traction control system provide better handling and manoeuvrability. Downhill Brake Control assists off-road by applying the brakes to maintain a constant speed when driving downhill or on wet and slippery roads.

Read more: How does the Kia Soul 2021 protect you?

Kia Sportage 2022 features to protect you

The 2022 Kia Sportage is equipped with two advanced front airbags, two front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side airbags. It’s also equipped with a rollover sensor, which ensures minimal damage to you and your passengers in the event of an impending rollover. The stylish SUV is also equipped with 3-point seat belts for all seating positions and front seat belt tensioners.

Would you like to know more about the safety features of the Kia Sportage 2022? Visit us at Auffenberg Kia in Cape Girardeau, MO or schedule a test drive today!

Q: I’ve worried about this for years. I’m only 5 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds. So when riding I have to push the seat quite far forward to reach the pedals. Can or should I disconnect the airbag? But then my husband would be in danger on the rare occasions he uses my car. Awaiting your wise advice. Many Thanks.

A: You’ve probably seen the letters “SRS” on the steering wheel and on the dashboard in front of the passenger seat. Those three letters explain in a roundabout way why you probably don’t need to worry about getting injured by your airbag. Can you get injured by an airbag? Yes. But probably not because you’re small.

The airbag was invented in 1919 by two dentists trying to prevent fractured jaws. Both served in a hospital during World War I, treating war casualties with severe jaw injuries. Realizing that many of these injuries were caused by vehicular accidents (both airplanes and road vehicles), they looked for a solution to prevent the injuries.

Given the technological limitations of 1919, the dentists’ airbag design was not what we have today. Airbag innovation progressed through the 1950s and ’60s, and by the early 1970s Ford and General Motors used it on a limited basis. By the late ’70s, both had abandoned the idea, believing it was unfeasible. Turns out they were wrong. Airbags made a return in some cars in the mid-80s and were mandatory in all cars by 1998.

Back to the three letters: “SRS” stands for Supplemental Restraint System. As the name suggests, airbags are not intended to be the primary safety device in an accident; that’s your seat belt. It is true that airbags have caused some deaths. However, more than 80 percent of these fatalities involved a vehicle occupant who was not wearing a seat belt or was not wearing it properly. (Ninety percent of these deaths occurred in vehicles manufactured before 1998, when federal regulations reduced the performance of airbags.) Airbags are designed to work in unison with a seatbelt to reduce injuries that your seatbelt cannot prevent , not as a stand alone security feature. Most airbag injuries and fatalities where a driver gets too close to the airbag are not because they are sitting too close, but because they are not wearing a seat belt and then move too close during the impact.

If you always wear your seat belt, the risk of your airbag is minimal compared to the benefits it can provide in an accident. In fact, air bags save thousands of lives each year and reduce serious injuries that seat belts alone cannot prevent. However, the law allows for a few scenarios in which you are allowed to deactivate an airbag, and one is related to your seating position.

There’s such a thing as too close, and it might be closer than you expected. The first two to three inches of airbag deployment is the “risk zone.” In addition, the risk of injury decreases rapidly. The recommended minimum distance between the steering wheel and the driver in an airbag-equipped car is 10 inches. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that in most vehicles, a driver who is 4 feet 6 inches or taller should be able to position the driver’s seat so that there is 10 inches between the chest and the steering wheel .

The other driver exception is a medical condition that “causes the potential damage from the driver airbag. . . greater than . . . So even if the driver is buckled up, the driver can hit the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield in an accident.” I don’t know what medical condition fits these parameters, but it’s an option for anyone whose doctor thinks that he needs it.

On the passenger side, an airbag can be deactivated when transporting an infant or child and the rear seat is not an option (usually because there is no rear seat, like in a pickup truck or two-seater stroller). When there is one, it’s always the safer place for children to ride, but placing an infant in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of an airbag-equipped car is particularly disastrous in the event of an accident.

To legally deactivate an airbag, you must submit a written request to the NHTSA and, if approved, the work must be performed by an authorized dealer or shop. They will install an on/off switch so that the airbag can be activated whenever the vehicle occupant does not meet the requirements for deactivation.

Disclosure: We may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The airbag light is part of the Supplement Restraint System (SRS) in vehicles and connects the airbag system to the seat belt system (and vice versa). When you start your car, the airbag light will turn on within 5-7 seconds before turning off, indicating a successful and completed internal system check. The problem starts when the airbag light never turns on or stays on and flashing. At this point, resetting the airbag light is crucial.

Some ways to reset an airbag light include inspecting seat belt components, replacing defective coil springs, and replacing defective sensors. You can also buy new lightbulbs or fully charge your battery. While most repairs are DIY, others may require a mechanic.

Here are 10 steps to reset your airbag light:

Turn your ignition on and off. Restart your vehicle and take a test drive. Inspect the passenger airbag switch. Check that the seat belts are fastened or working properly. Make sure the passenger seat sensor is not applied. Use a scanner with an option to reset the SRS or airbag light. Fix faulty airbag sensors. Repair or replace a malfunctioning clock spring. Make sure the airbag is not defective. Seek help from a professional.

Although the list above is not exhaustive, it summarizes best practices to resolve the issue. You may find some of these inapplicable as compatibility always depends on the year, make and model of your vehicle. When performing any of these repairs, it’s best to have your service manual with you. Also, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Without further ado, let’s get into how to reset your airbag light.

How to reset the airbag light (10 steps)

Ideally, the airbag light (aka SRS light) on a vehicle’s dashboard (see Amazon) will only illuminate after a crash if the airbag has been deployed and filled with either argon or nitrogen. However, other circumstances – such as a component or sensor malfunction – will cause the airbag light to remain on. However, car owners would benefit from a handheld device to reset the airbag light and follow the steps below.

1. Turn your ignition on and off.

This procedure is the same as resetting the airbag light on a Toyota Camry and should be the first thing you should do if you encounter the same problem. It involves four simple steps that are easy to follow and requires airbag light timing.

First turn on the ignition. Next, wait for the airbag light to turn on — it typically stays on for seven seconds before turning itself off. Then immediately turn off the ignition and wait three seconds. Repeat the first steps once or twice before starting the engine. If done correctly, your car’s airbag light should come on for seven seconds before finally turning off.

2. Restart your vehicle and do a test drive.

Like your cell phone, your car may require a power cycle. However, this does not work on all vehicles. But for those who have a bug every now and then, it might be easy. You should take this step if the airbag light is not on for too long. Restart your ignition and then take a short drive. If the airbag light stays off after this, the problem is most likely resolved. If not, continue with the other items in this list.

(TIP: Before restarting your vehicle, check the wiring system under the driver and passenger seats. Look for loose wires or rusting in the connector. If not, spray the connectors with electronics cleaner.)

3. Inspect the passenger airbag switch.

The passenger seat airbag on/off switch (found on some vehicles only) should be one of the first things to check when attempting to turn off the airbag light. It’s possible someone mistakenly turned them off, causing the airbag light to stay on. This button is usually located on the passenger side dash, but is sometimes visible when you open the glove box or passenger door.

4. Check that the seat belts are fastened or working properly.

Since the SRS is concerned with driver/passenger safety, detecting loose or improperly fastened seat belts may trigger the airbag light to illuminate. Not using seat belts can also automatically deactivate the airbag. However, make sure that the proper functioning of seat belts and seat belt sensors is on your exclusion list. Mechanics would advise the same to those performing a Jeep Wrangler airbag light reset.

You might find it unbelievable, but simple things like changing spare parts can cause seat belt sensors to go bad. Often loose change is placed near the seat belt fasteners and a small dent or pothole can get a small coin into the fastener and between the sensor and the buckle. In this case, the sensor may not detect when a seat belt is fastened, thereby activating the airbag light.

Before swapping out your sensors, check the inside of the buckle and see if there’s anything stuck inside. Typically, removing obstructions within the seat belt buckle is not as expensive as most vehicle owners think. However, the opposite is true if your seat belt components are not individually replaceable and the sensors are embedded in the seat belt.

5. Make sure the passenger seat sensor is not attached.

Select vehicles have an over-sensitive occupant weight sensor. The problem with these particular cars is that simply placing a large box or container in the passenger seat triggers the sensors easily. As a result, the airbag lamp comes on.

There are two ways to fix this – either remove the object from the passenger seat or fasten the seat belt. If the latter solves the problem, it would confirm that the sensor was attached, causing the airbag light to come on. If the airbag light goes out after fastening the seat belt but there is nothing in the seat, this would indicate a faulty passenger seat sensor. You can then decide whether to replace the sensor or leave the seat belt on while driving.

6. Use a scanner with an option to reset the SRS or airbag light.

If you’re mechanically inclined, you can purchase a scanner with SRS capability to perform an airbag light reset. Just note that not all OBD-II devices are automatically airbag light reset tools. Purchasing an OBD-II scanner with the feature you need takes a little research. I would recommend the Foxwell NT634 OBD-II scanner (see it on Amazon) – this tool displays error codes to help you figure out how to fix the problem or when it’s best to take your vehicle to a mechanic.

7. Fix faulty airbag sensors.

Sensors play a huge role in how a car functions, especially in newer vehicle makes and models. On the one hand, sensors ensure that airbags are triggered in the event of a fender flexing. The SRS works in particular with the help of several sensors that are installed in different vehicle parts/components. If any of these sensors corrode, break, or stop working, be sure the airbag light is on.

In some cases, airbag sensors are responsive – they activate suddenly and for no apparent reason. They can also fail and turn on the SRS light if the car has suffered water damage. There are also situations where the airbag system control unit may simply have broken. If any of these cases occur, replacing the faulty sensors, control unit or water damaged components may fix the problem.

8. Repair or replace a malfunctioning clock spring.

Also known as a coiled cable, coil assembly, contact roller, or cable pulley assembly, the coil spring is a major component that, if broken or damaged, can cause the airbag light to turn on. Not only is it one of the most common reasons for a flashing airbag light, it’s also one of the most expensive to fix ($400 minimum). You can save money if you change the watch spring yourself – provided you are extremely careful and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you suspect this is the cause of your airbag light activating, you will need to access the inside of the steering wheel (see Amazon) to troubleshoot the issue. This shouldn’t be a cause for concern as the whole process is simple and only takes 10 steps and less than 20 minutes:

How to repair a clock spring

Disconnect the battery negative cable from the terminal; Wait at least 10-15 minutes for the capacitors to discharge. (Note that removing the car battery terminals alone will not reset the airbag light). For straight wheels, hold the center portion of the wheel (the location of the airbag) in place and locate the bolts. Then unscrew them. Remove the airbag by pulling it towards you and remove the connectors (you can use a pick to slide out the yellow clips). Rotating the steering wheel from left to right will also expose the screws that secure the steering column shroud. With the steering wheel lock engaged, use two pieces of masking tape to mark the area between the steering wheel and the steering column shroud. This reference point is useful if you later return the steering wheel to its original position. Using a pry bar, loosen the steering wheel nut without removing it completely. Remove the nut and wheel once the wheel is loose, exposing the clock spring. To remove the clock spring, disconnect the wiring harnesses at the bottom or rear. Replace the old one with a new clock spring. Break the tab by bending it until it snaps into place. Refer to your tape marks to properly align the steering wheel when reinstalling. Using a torque wrench (or your hands and a pry bar), tighten the steering column nut to the specified torque. Install the wire harnesses along with the airbag. Reinstall the lower steering column trim piece (see Amazon) and reconnect the negative battery terminal. When you’re done with this last step, you should no longer have the flashing airbag light.

9. Make sure the airbag is not defective.

Although rare, faulty airbags are not uncommon. This could be the reason for the difficulty in resetting the airbag light. If it turns out to be the culprit, know you can’t go through this alone. Solving this problem takes professional help — and a few hundred dollars.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle and how complicated the SRS is, replacing airbags typically costs between $200 and $1,000 (excluding labor). Labor costs vary depending on which airbag is defective. Driver airbags have proven to be easier to replace compared to side or passenger airbags. Therefore, the fees when working on the latter are more expensive. Both can be expensive, but nothing you want to put off.

10. Seek help from a professional.

Take your car to a mechanic when all else fails. This route will be more expensive, but the mechanic should properly identify the cause of your flashing airbag light and fix the problem permanently. Unlike tech-savvy drivers, new vehicle owners would primarily consider this their first course of action.

How to reset the airbag light on Chevy

First connect your OBD-II/SRS code scanner to the vehicle. Like most cars sold in the US over the past two decades, Chevrolets have a designated OBD-II port. Said connector is trapezoidal and is typically located under the dashboard (driver’s side). Note that it is not available for pre-1996 Chevy models.

Next, turn on the ignition but do not start the engine. If you see a start/stop button, press it (be careful not to step on the brake pedal). Then allow the airbag scanner to turn on – this should happen at the same time as you turn on the ignition. Once the airbag scanner is fully powered, select “Chevrolet” from the menu.

Follow the instructions on the airbag scanner until you select “Airbag System”. Then scroll down to scan your Chevy for airbag trouble codes. Address the error codes that indicate the status is Present or Current. Saved or previous codes can be deleted.

After clearing the air bag light related trouble codes, turn the ignition off and then back on to see if the air bag light reset successfully. If not, go back to the Airbag/SRS Controller option and clear the trouble codes. All of these steps should be enough to reset the airbag light and also apply to Chevy Spark, Sonic, Bolt, Volt, Cruze, Malibu, Impala and Camaro to name a few.

Conclusion – How to reset the airbag light

As a reminder, here are 10 easy steps to reset your vehicle’s airbag light:

Turn your ignition on and off. Restart your vehicle and take a test drive. Inspect the passenger airbag switch. Check that the seat belts are fastened or working properly. Make sure the passenger seat sensor is not applied. Use a scanner with an option to reset the SRS or airbag light. Fix faulty airbag sensors. Repair or replace a malfunctioning clock spring. Make sure the airbag is not defective. Seek help from a professional.

If you suspect your car is involved in a recall, keep an eye out for DMV emails. You can also check open recalls on your vehicle by going to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and entering your car’s VIN number. I highly recommend doing this if you own a used four wheeler. In the best-case scenario, you won’t have to spend a penny on repairs.

Because of the costs involved, it can be tempting to delay resetting the airbag light until later. However, it would be unwise to do so. One of two things could happen – either the airbag deploys when it doesn’t need to, or it doesn’t deploy when you need it most. Either could have disastrous consequences and is not worth the risk.

How do you disable the passenger side airbag?

The airbag works in conjunction with the seat belt and should never be deployed separately as this could result in serious injury to the occupant. With children, you should keep in mind that they should always travel in the back seats. However, if for any reason they are forced to travel in the passenger seat in their child restraint system, it is important that you educate yourself. We’ve already discussed how dangerous an airbag can be for children and why and when it should be deactivated. The fact is that the passenger airbag is particularly dangerous for children, especially when they are rear-facing (390 KB). in Spain that in vehicles with up to nine seats, including the driver’s seat, children who are 1.35 cm tall or less may use an approved child restraint system that corresponds to their height and weight. You may only ride in the front passenger seat in: if the vehicle has no rear seats; if all rear seats are already occupied by other children in their child restraint systems; or if it is impossible to fit a child restraint system on these seats. If, for one of the above reasons, a child has to travel in the passenger seat and the car is equipped with a passenger airbag, the regulation also states: “It is also advisable to avoid, as far as possible, children under the age of 12 in the passenger seat Traveling in the front passenger seat with the airbag activated (even if one of the three exceptions mentioned above occurs). The primary purpose of the airbag is to protect the passenger’s head from impact with the windshield. It occurs at a speed of 200 km/h and can be particularly dangerous if the passenger in the front seat is a child. It can push a child against the seat or even suffocate them completely. You should keep in mind that the child in a child restraint system is even closer to the airbag and the explosion occurs closer to the child’s head. When the seat is rear-facing, the child’s head is even closer to the windshield.

Keep in mind that not every model from every manufacturer has the same system or steps for disabling the passenger airbag. Therefore, it is important to read the manufacturer’s manual, which will tell you all the necessary steps. In addition, not every vehicle offers the option of deactivating the passenger airbag, especially older models. Almost every new car offers this option as manufacturers understand the importance of deactivating the airbag when a child is traveling in the passenger seat in a rear-facing CRS. The normal case is the deactivation of the airbag with the ignition switched off. This avoids possible malfunctions. Many vehicles offer the option of disabling both the front and side passenger seat airbags. This is usually a switch located on the right side of the windshield or in the glove compartment and has the following positions: on (to activate the airbag so it can deploy in a crash) and off (to deactivate it when children are ride in the front seat, especially if they are rear-facing). Usually, to deactivate it, you need a special key, which is inserted into the appropriate slot. Normally, one of the dashboard indicator lights will come on to confirm that the airbag is deactivated. On some vehicles it is only possible to deactivate the passenger airbag by taking the car to a workshop. In these cases, you will usually be asked to sign a document that releases the manufacturer from any liability in the event of an accident. Other manufacturers, such as Mercedes, have an automatic airbag deactivation system. This disables the airbag when it detects that a child restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat. This device was developed in cooperation with the child restraint system manufacturer Römer and is known as Automatic Child Seat Recognition (ACSR). However, it only works with child seats manufactured by Römer and is sold exclusively through Mercedes dealers.

Advice worth following

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baby on board? Transport in a rear-facing child seat? Then you will learn how to turn off your passenger airbag to protect it.

You may need to disable the passenger airbag when traveling with a rear-facing child seat.

There is a useful reminder sticker behind the passenger visor. However, DO NOT disable the passenger airbag when using a front-facing child seat.

What to look out for and how to turn off the airbag:

On some vehicles, the deactivation switch is located in the glove box. In others, it’s at the end of the instrument panel, next to the passenger door.

If the switch is in the glove box, look for the deactivation lock.

Insert your car key. Turn it until the white mark points to the off position.

Close the glove box. And from the driver’s seat, turn on the ignition.

Check your dashboard. The air bag deactivation warning icon should illuminate.

If you transported your child in the front seat, ALWAYS reactivate the front passenger airbag.

IMPORTANT:

You must turn off the airbag when using a rear-facing child seat in the front seat.

You must turn on the airbag if you are not using a child seat in the front seat.

It’s that easy to deactivate your passenger airbag.

But if you are unsure about anything, you can always consult your owner’s manual or simply contact your Ford dealer.

And if you find this video useful, check out the others in our How to… series: it’s designed to help you keep your Ford in top condition and get the most out of its many features.