Is removing the front seat airbags too big of a risk?

Kiteboarder85 · 01-09-2019, 08:58 AM

From my understanding, the coupe front seat airbags cover the lower door area for your side body impact and the side window airbag deploys from the upper rail on the ceiling of the 6th gen. Is this correct?

The reason I'm looking into this is deciding if getting aftermarket seats is worth the risk of removing the seat airbag. If I were to get into a collision, I would think the most important side airbag would be the window deployment which I believe comes from the ceiling rail. Would it be too risky going with a seat without a side airbag which covers your lower side body?

CamaroChriSS · 01-09-2019, 09:03 AM

I'm not the expert on this by any stretch, but it was always my understanding that the airbags and seatbelts all work in conjunction with each other, and removing any piece from the puzzle could unbalance everything and effectively turn airbags into weapons hitting you in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Silverado57 · 01-09-2019, 09:30 AM

I wouldn't tinker with airbags. YMMV

DC5 · 01-09-2019, 09:42 AM

The human species survived for many years without side impact airbags, so I would just purchase the aftermarket seats of your desire and drive happy.

More seriously, however, I wouldn't hesitate to install aftermarket seats without airbags.

LT4Greg · 01-09-2019, 09:44 AM

I wouldn’t remove them either. They might save your life or a loved one some day!

ecko04 · 01-09-2019, 09:58 AM

It is true that man has survived for decades without side airbags, however if that same logic was applied everywhere then man would not have evolved. I mean, man also thought asbestos was safe and we see how that turned out.

Everyone has varying degrees of risk acceptance. In this instance the vehicle was engineered with those safety parameters in place and while not full proof, they are there because without them the likelihood for injury, or death, increases, and maybe even significantly. Given that I can account for my own actions, but not those of the careless drivers around me, I tend to lean towards keeping the safety features in place.

I’d definitely replace the seats in a car that didn’t have airbags in the seats since the car would’ve been engineered without them so I wouldn’t be removing a safety feature by swapping them out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Jeb114 · 01-09-2019, 09:59 AM

If you get hurt or killed in a vehicle were a Factory safety device was removed you car insurance will be voided.

Kiteboarder85 · 01-09-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeb114

If you get hurt or killed in a vehicle were a Factory safety device was removed you car insurance will be voided.

Good point, I didn't think about this. I'd need to check this out with our insurance company.

craigss50 · 01-09-2019, 10:10 AM

I have a convertible so I don't have overhead airbags so yes I would. I know I do have seat (side) airbags but I still would get the aftermarket seats.

Mark114 · 01-09-2019, 10:21 AM

I'm not a lawyer nor have I stayed in a Holiday Inn recently but removing or disabling the airbags may invalidate your insurance policy and might even be illegal in some states. The policy will be based on a standard model with all safety devices installed and working properly. If you or another person is hurt or killed in an accident as a result of your modifications the insurance company might not be liable for claims.

The car was engineered to protect as a unit so the structure and crumple zones were all designed to function together. Removing some of that protection puts you and your passengers at risk. I wouldn't risk spending life in a wheelchair because of a side impact with the airbags removed.

cellsafemode · 01-09-2019, 10:40 AM

insurance coverage is the only thing i think is a valid concern. The likelihood that you'll be injured due to the missing airbag is so much smaller than the likelihood that you get any injury at all during a collision but your insurance company not covering it due to you disabling some tangentially related safety equipment.

ZED SLED · 01-09-2019, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC5

The human species survived for many years without side impact airbags, so I would just purchase the aftermarket seats of your desire and drive happy.

More seriously, however, I wouldn't hesitate to install aftermarket seats without airbags.

Survived without cars too. And Facebook and Twitter

drperry · 01-09-2019, 11:21 AM

Do the Recaro seats come with air bags? If not, might be a loophole for the insurance company, as it's an optional component.

I can't find the info yet, on the Recaro site, anyways... Still looking, lol

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

kropscamaro16 · 01-09-2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drperry

Do the Recaro seats come with air bags? If not, might be a loophole for the insurance company, as it's an optional component.

I can't find the info yet, on the Recaro site, anyways... Still looking, lol

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

yes they do

01-09-2019, 08:58 AM	#1
Kiteboarder85 Drives: 2018 SS - 2015 SS 1LE - 2013 SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Freeland, MI Posts: 418 View My Garage	Is removing the front seat airbags too big of a risk? From my understanding, the coupe front seat airbags cover the lower door area for your side body impact and the side window airbag deploys from the upper rail on the ceiling of the 6th gen. Is this correct? The reason I'm looking into this is deciding if getting aftermarket seats is worth the risk of removing the seat airbag. If I were to get into a collision, I would think the most important side airbag would be the window deployment which I believe comes from the ceiling rail. Would it be too risky going with a seat without a side airbag which covers your lower side body? Attached Images __________________ Billy B. Current: 2018 Hyper Blue SS

01-09-2019, 09:30 AM	#3
Silverado57 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 522	I wouldn't tinker with airbags. YMMV __________________ Kevin Luceo Non Uro

01-09-2019, 09:44 AM	#5
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	I wouldn’t remove them either. They might save your life or a loved one some day! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

01-09-2019, 09:03 AM	#2
CamaroChriSS Drives: 16 1SS M6 Black -previous 00 Z28 M6 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DC Posts: 255	I'm not the expert on this by any stretch, but it was always my understanding that the airbags and seatbelts all work in conjunction with each other, and removing any piece from the puzzle could unbalance everything and effectively turn airbags into weapons hitting you in the wrong place at the wrong time.

01-09-2019, 09:42 AM	#4
DC5 Drives: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Arizona Posts: 596	The human species survived for many years without side impact airbags, so I would just purchase the aftermarket seats of your desire and drive happy. More seriously, however, I wouldn't hesitate to install aftermarket seats without airbags.

01-09-2019, 09:58 AM	#6
ecko04 Drives: Too many to list Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: East Coast Runner Posts: 878	It is true that man has survived for decades without side airbags, however if that same logic was applied everywhere then man would not have evolved. I mean, man also thought asbestos was safe and we see how that turned out. Everyone has varying degrees of risk acceptance. In this instance the vehicle was engineered with those safety parameters in place and while not full proof, they are there because without them the likelihood for injury, or death, increases, and maybe even significantly. Given that I can account for my own actions, but not those of the careless drivers around me, I tend to lean towards keeping the safety features in place. I’d definitely replace the seats in a car that didn’t have airbags in the seats since the car would’ve been engineered without them so I wouldn’t be removing a safety feature by swapping them out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

01-09-2019, 09:59 AM	#7
Jeb114 Drives: 2021 300 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 968	If you get hurt or killed in a vehicle were a Factory safety device was removed you car insurance will be voided.

01-09-2019, 10:10 AM	#9
craigss50 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Fifty Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Port St Lucie, Florida Posts: 966	I have a convertible so I don't have overhead airbags so yes I would. I know I do have seat (side) airbags but I still would get the aftermarket seats.

01-09-2019, 10:21 AM	#10
Mark114 Drives: 2016 2SS Convertible Join Date: May 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,711 View My Garage	I'm not a lawyer nor have I stayed in a Holiday Inn recently but removing or disabling the airbags may invalidate your insurance policy and might even be illegal in some states. The policy will be based on a standard model with all safety devices installed and working properly. If you or another person is hurt or killed in an accident as a result of your modifications the insurance company might not be liable for claims. The car was engineered to protect as a unit so the structure and crumple zones were all designed to function together. Removing some of that protection puts you and your passengers at risk. I wouldn't risk spending life in a wheelchair because of a side impact with the airbags removed.

01-09-2019, 10:40 AM	#11
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	insurance coverage is the only thing i think is a valid concern. The likelihood that you'll be injured due to the missing airbag is so much smaller than the likelihood that you get any injury at all during a collision but your insurance company not covering it due to you disabling some tangentially related safety equipment.

01-09-2019, 11:21 AM	#13
drperry Drives: Chevy Blazer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 300	Do the Recaro seats come with air bags? If not, might be a loophole for the insurance company, as it's an optional component. I can't find the info yet, on the Recaro site, anyways... Still looking, lol Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

User Name		Remember Me?
Password