Are Second Row Side Impact Airbags Unsafe for Kids?
10-25-2022, 10:01 PM
#1
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Are Second Row Side Impact Airbags Unsafe for Kids?
Is it unsafe for me to have kids in car seats in the back with this addon?
Last edited by ArtZappa; 10-25-2022 at 10:02 PM. Reason: Bad format
10-26-2022, 09:56 AM
#3
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No one can give you a definitive answer as every situation is different. That said:
I recommend you do your own research and follow the car seat manufacturer's advice. In my completely non-expert opinion solely based on my own research and not a recommendation for anyone other than my own vehicle is it is completely fine as the airbags are designed to not impact properly installed car seats. The side impact bags also inflate at a much lower rate than others. It should be a non-issue.
I'm not sure the claim "safer to have it than nothing at all" is accurate for a properly secured child in a car seat, as the airbags shouldn't be in play in that situation, but at least we have studies to show that they are not harmful.
- Most car seat manufacturers say refer to the vehicle manual (there are a few car seats that have specific instructions so be sure to check your car seat manual)
- The Mercedes manual does not say anything about not placing a car seat in a seat adjacent to a side impact air bag
- There have been several studies and statistical analysis that show, at least of the vehicles tested (and for those that crashed real-world) that the is no increase of serious injury to a child in a car seat with a side impact airbag.
I recommend you do your own research and follow the car seat manufacturer's advice. In my completely non-expert opinion solely based on my own research and not a recommendation for anyone other than my own vehicle is it is completely fine as the airbags are designed to not impact properly installed car seats. The side impact bags also inflate at a much lower rate than others. It should be a non-issue.
I'm not sure the claim "safer to have it than nothing at all" is accurate for a properly secured child in a car seat, as the airbags shouldn't be in play in that situation, but at least we have studies to show that they are not harmful.
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mikapen (10-26-2022)
10-26-2022, 09:59 AM
#4
Find the manual on MB's website and look for info there.
I think I remember reading that the rear airbags get disabled when a child seat is properly mounted.
I think I remember reading that the rear airbags get disabled when a child seat is properly mounted.
10-26-2022, 10:37 AM
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Rear side airbags & children
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mikapen (10-26-2022)
10-26-2022, 01:07 PM
#6
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10-26-2022, 02:24 PM
#7
Yea I just took another skim through it. No mention of airbags shutting off in the rear if you have a child seat in, also no warnings about it. I think that means its safe? Seems like the main risk is an airbag aimed directly at the child, which wont happen with side airbags I guess.
