Earlier this month the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #226 came into effect. However the change in the rule was actually announced 6 years ago with a phased introduction starting in 2013. This new regulation is a response to concerns about side impact safety in vehicles. It increases the size of the airbags fitted to protect occupants from an impact that could come … [Read more...]
Air Bags
This week for a technical article I am going to talk about a passive safety device that is now on all cars - the airbag - and like diesel has now become enemy #1 for the media who love to write negative stories. With respect to airbags, one company, Takata, who had manufacturing issues that affected millions of units has caused all the negative press. So bad was the problem … [Read more...]
Takata Airbag Recall – Update November
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has suggested that independent repair shops should get involved in the massive recall of cars that need to have their Takata airbags replaced. This is because they think that the manufacturers are too slow in getting the replacement equipment fitted. Many global manufacturers are affected by the recall - mostly Japanese … [Read more...]
Airbag Recall Update #5
Following on from my last update, I read the other day that Takata, who are at the centre of the airbag recall, would be changing the propellant in their inflators. This was not quite true, they will still be using ammonium nitrate but will change the design of the inflator to make it safer when used. They have redesigned the drivers airbag, presumably because it is closer to … [Read more...]
Takata Airbag Recall – Update #4
The ongoing recall of airbags made by Takata has now reached over 53,000,000 cars worldwide. It is now the largest ever recall for the auto industry. Interesting, the faulty airbags were claimed to have been made in only one factory (in Mexico) yet when you think about a car having between 1 and 10 airbags each, that would mean that one factory would have to have produced … [Read more...]
