Ford Fiesta airbag - how do i immobilise it?

[pingu748]

How can i immobilise my front passenger airbag in my 05 Ford Fiesta so that i can carry a child in a carrier type car seat safely?

[druiaghtagh]

Do not under any circumstances attempt to diable any safety device, any reason why you cannot place the child in the back. These airbags could save a life, leave well alone

[druiaghtagh]

'disable '!

[pingu748]

Had heard you can get a switch fitted by dealer to turn on / off if carrying child seat in the front ... thats all ... wondered if any one knew if it was possible or just a myth ...

[redcrx]

the dealers may install a switch, not sure if Ford will though. Also worth bearing in mind that disabling your airbags can affect your vehicle insurance apparently.

Personally Id say youll be better off putting baby in rear seat and hanging toys up to amuse them. A parent can easily be distracted by a baby in the front passenger seat when driving.

[bednobs]

in my clio, there is a slot in the passenger door that you put the ignition key in and turn to disable the passenger airbag ... have you got one of thse?

[theren_911]

my old pug 206 had a switch to turn of/on the passenger airbag. Refer to your Handbook to see if you's has this feature. Don't use a front facing seat unless you can turn it off as the air bag can kill a baby.

A rear facing one would work fine tho ;)

[pingu748]

My mum has clio too ... thats where i got the idea ... no swith to be seen in mine or detail in instr. book ...

[druiaghtagh]

I have to repeat my warning, its TOO DANGEROUS to interfere with air bags

[Buenchico]

While I love AB, and think it's a great source of information, I believe that when a child's life is at stake you should only accept information from an official source. I strongly recommend contacting Ford directly, for a definitive answer to your question:
http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/gen_contact/-/contac t/-/-/-/-

Chris

[dosset]

my peugeot has an air bag diabling switch

[dosset]

disabling even

[pingu748]

Just as a point of interest to all those who think I have a death wish for my child ... as he is of a certain weight & size having him in the front with a rear facing car seat and an air bag that can go off is more dangerous than having no airbag at all !! It was just a simple request to find out any experience or knowledge from those who have done something similar ... not a request for people to tell me how dangerous it is to disable something that, for many years didnt even exist ! And the reason for needing him in the front is that on a 300 mile+ journey it is safer for me, and him in the long run, for him to be next to me than behind me ... Thanks to those who dont think I am a potential child killer and just gave the advice i was looking for ...

[and1145]

Totally agree with you pingu748. People are so fast to judge others. Some people think just because they have air bags they are immune to injury. Most passenger air-bags are switchable. A lot of the ignorant replies you have received are probably from people who have never travelled a great distance with babies in cars or understand air bags. Those that have had babies in with them will understand where you are coming from.

[Littlejohn]

Pingu. The simple answer to you simple question is:
Ford sell an accessory kit which when fitted will disable the passenger airbag. There are in fact several kits depending on the exact specification of your car. They are a bit expensive however and do need expert fitting.

[pingu748]

Ta ... car booked in ! But yes �113.70 does seem a little excessive ... but hey ... peace of mind ... what price ?

Happy new year

[almightybunghole]

pingu, couldn't agree more with your comment re. people's immediate tendency to assume you're completely irresponsible and not to assume that maybe you have a reason to ask a question. Narrow minded fools. Anyway rant over, I'm interested to hear where you booked your car into and whether the modification was any good - we are in a similar position, can't afford a new car and there's nothing wrong with the Puma so if we can temporarily disable the passenger airbag then that would be ideal. Thanks!