If I turn off my airbag for someone at risk, what precautions should I take for others?

Since the airbag will not automatically turn itself back on after you turn it off with an on-off switch, you must remember to turn it on when someone who is not at risk is sitting in that seat. Every on-off switch has a light to remind you when the air bag is turned off.

If I turn off my air bag, will my seat belts provide enough protection?

Airbags increase the protection you can get from seat belts alone. If the airbag is turned off, you lose this extra protection. In some newer vehicles, turning off your airbag may have additional consequences. These vehicles have seat belts that were specially designed to work together with airbags. If the crash forces become too great, these new seat belts "give" or yield to avoid concentrating too much force on your chest. The airbag prevents you from moving too far forward after the seat belts give. Without the airbag to cushion this forward movement, the chance of the occupant hitting the vehicle interior is increased.

Ask your vehicle manufacturer whether your seat belts were specially designed to work with an air bag. If they were, your dealer or repair shop will provide you information about the effects that turning off your air bag will have on the performance of the belts. Ask your dealer or repair shop to show you this information before you decide whether to have an on-off switch installed.