isnt there some law about taking airbags out of a car that's factory equipped with them?? arent airbags a required thing in inspection? maybe im wrong, because alot of you have aftermarket wheels....
I have passed DMV inspection with airbags that have been deployed. I've had my MOMO wheel on for some time now and knowbody has said anything about it. Im in CA by the way.
I think you're insurance company may have a problem with you removing it. Also, I think it voids any warranty on the vehicle. I just got an '02 Z, and was going to swap, but I've got an extended warranty, and am rethinking the whole idea. Personally, i think the factory unit is one of the ugliest airbag wheels out there. Anyone else know if a different GM airbag equipped wheel will fit on a Cavalier and function? Maybe a Vette wheel?
Gotta keep on livin', L-I-V-I-N
i also purchased the extended waranty, but not sure if they;ll honor any of it. i havent ever tried to use it, but i have an aftermarket wheel, and i think they might say something. i also think i may fail inspection in NY, but I guess we'll see.
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i wish i could have an aftermarket wheel but i also like my teeth in place....
Robert, from what I understand about airbags, you've got a better chance of keeping your teeth with an aftermarket wheel than you do with an airbag. LOL The chemical they use in those things is like a low grade explosive.
Gotta keep on livin', L-I-V-I-N
how about checking with your insurance company and inspection service
before getting an aftermarket wheel?
bone stock z wrote:Robert, from what I understand about airbags, you've got a better chance of keeping your teeth with an aftermarket wheel than you do with an airbag. LOL The chemical they use in those things is like a low grade explosive.
Oh BS. That bag might rough up your nose, but it isn't going to break your teeth.
Besides, F your teeth, I'd prefer to LIVE and see my kids get old, than have another steering wheel.
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Yep, anyone who would argue that dispensing with the airbags is somehow safer is either some sort of idiot or is kidding themselves to justify some sort of safety-compromising mod.
There are very specific instances where removing the airbags is beneficial and this generally involves really short people who have to sit too close to the steering wheel. In all other cases, it's proven that air bags save lives.
Everyone knows someone who's been in a crash where the airbag didn't help or may have done more harm than good but these are generally minor issues. In cases where you NEED the airbag, you'll be happy it's there!
People should really consider safety a lot more when modifying their cars. It scares me to see the number of frightening death traps that people are creating here and all throughout the tuner world.
I was kidding about the teeth. I have two little girls that I want to see grow up. While I like the look of the custom wheels, the airbag is most important. What is the best dye or paint to use if I wanted to change the color though. I want to go like a beige to match the stock beige interior trim. any ideas?
Gotta keep on livin', L-I-V-I-N
No idea on what dyes might work. And I've often wondered, like you asked, whether there are other GM wheels with compatable airbag systems. I'd love to have a slightly smaller wheel like what comes in the new Cobalt.
as much as I agree with you WW, I also have an instance where airbags should helped me, but didnt. When I was 16(way back) i hit a car that was doing about 15 mph when I was doing roughly 55mph. i hit her back end dead on, and not an airbag went off. granted i had my seatbelt on and there were no injuries other than my smashed lip, but in my experience, airbags havent helped me.
note* this dosent mean airbags dont help. airbags are a great inovation to cars, but i choose a nicer wheel over the airbag personally, but thats me.
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i get paraniod when i think about them...just waiting for it to all of a sudden go off on me
Eazy wrote:as much as I agree with you WW, I also have an instance where airbags should helped me, but didnt. When I was 16(way back) i hit a car that was doing about 15 mph when I was doing roughly 55mph. i hit her back end dead on, and not an airbag went off. granted i had my seatbelt on and there were no injuries other than my smashed lip, but in my experience, airbags havent helped me.
note* this dosent mean airbags dont help. airbags are a great inovation to cars, but i choose a nicer wheel over the airbag personally, but thats me.
that just means you may have had a defective air bag system, that doesnt mean all airbags are defective.
and i'd take 1000 smashed lips versus one instance of death.
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I have a momo wheel in my car. Ive been pulled over by police a few times and they didnt say anything except they liked it. Ive been through inspections and had no problems. I dont think its illegal to take your airbags out. The only problem you might have is with your insurance company.
i doubt you would fail any inspections, or have a cop really give you a hard time about it...but IF you get into a accident the insurance company will pretty much say up yours, that you have disabled a safty device on the vehicle and they will refuse to pay for anything...i had it happen to a friend of mine with a civic, put on a nice aftermarket wheel, got t-boned (not his fault) his insurance company and the other guys company fought like hell to keep from paying for anything...he had to pay WAY more then he should just for the looks of his steering wheel..
good thing i have an 89 with no airbags, i'm swapping out for a sport wheel in one of the old beat up vehicles across the road, i think it might be a little bit but it's alot sportier, and it's a three spoke, old schoolness, i'll probly take pics and post on my cardomain page eventually....
"I live my life a quarter mile at a time..." "for those ten seconds or less I'm free"
tom - now that's not really true because when i was in an accident in my dad's s10 we had an aftermarket wheel. and all the insurance company said was it's a shame to see a pretty truck end this way, and then they handed us a check for it. the accident was my fault as well. the only thing that i had a probelm with was the sheriff saying he thought it was illegal but the deputy corrected him and said that it wasn't. all the cops i have checked with say that it isn't illegal to change the steering wheel.
i have a 93 without air bags so im going to get an aftermarket wheel when i find a nice one. as far as inspection goes as everyone else has said its not illegal to remove the airbags. my only question is if removing the airbags isnt illegal why are 4 point harnesses? everyone i have talked to says they are illegal (the harnesses). in my opinion the harnesses would do more good than the stupid seat belt.
DribnuS (shadowcat) wrote:i have a 93 without air bags so im going to get an aftermarket wheel when i find a nice one. as far as inspection goes as everyone else has said its not illegal to remove the airbags. my only question is if removing the airbags isnt illegal why are 4 point harnesses? everyone i have talked to says they are illegal (the harnesses). in my opinion the harnesses would do more good than the stupid seat belt.
I dont know that there illegal but if mounted wrong they are very dangerous
bone stock z wrote: Also, I think it voids any warranty on the vehicle. I just got an '02 Z, and was going to swap, but I've got an extended warranty, and am rethinking the whole idea.
It would not void the warranty on the entire car, thats illegal, it would only void the warranty on the SRS system. Just like replacing the stock intake with aftermarket would not void the warranty on the engine.
Slightly off topic, but somewhat relevant to the previous arguement of "airbags vs no airbags"
I was watching the History channel a few weeks ago. It was a documentary on the Autobahn. What I remember from the entire show is this. There was a guy that came on that said something to the effect of "with all of today's enhancements to cars (computer controlled AWD, traction control, ABS and airbags), people tend to push their cars over their designed limitations"
Personally, I detest airbags. The idea of something exploding into your face scares the @!#$ out of me. Right now, I don't have a passenger bag. As soon as I can find a wheel that I like, the driver's side is coming out as well.
As for the insurance companies not paying out, its all case by case (or even company by company). To the O/P, take cannon's advice and call your ins company and state's inspection department to find out what their call is when it comes to aftermarket steering wheels.
Couldn't you just swap the stock one back in if you have an inspection coming up? And/or cover up the airbag light in the dash?
I agree with the Anti-Airbaggers here, I personally ALWAYS where my seat belt and I'm all set with a big exploding bag in my face which could very well break your nose and send it into your brain and kill you that way, plus the burns you can get all over your arms and face. Sure you could say you'd take burns over dying anyday but I feel like if you're going a decent speed and got your seatbelt on you should be fine, unless of course someone hits you going pretty fast then I don't have an answer. But jeeze, havn't you guys seen Final Destination2? Airbags are nothing but bad news lol haha
They built cars for decades with just seatbelts. Granted, airbags are a great SUPPLEMENT to seatbelts, but that is all they are, a supplement. If you aren't wearing your belt and the airbag goes off, you stand about the same chance of injury as you would with no airbag, if the thing doesn't break your neck. Gotta wear belts with bags.
