Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`Car Ratings, Reviews and Research |
`
` J.D. Power Cars
`
`J.D. POWER MAIN
`
`MORE RATINGS
`
`NEWSLETTERS
`
`GLOBAL
`
`LOGIN
`
` 
`
`Understanding Air Bags
`
`0
`
`Share 0
`
`0
`
`TIPS & ADVICE
`
`
`
`Understanding Air Bags
`BY JEFF YOUNGS, FEBRUARY 24, 2012
`
`According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal air bags are credited with
`saving 13,967 lives between 1987 and 2003. As a result of their effectiveness and generally positive publicity, air
`bags have been embraced by auto manufacturers and consumers alike; many automakers now offer side, side-
`curtain, and rear air bags in addition to frontal air bags. In fact, many new models have six or more air bags as
`standard safety equipment, mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard, seats, headliner, and even the window
`sills.
`IPR 2016-01790
`American Vehicular Sciences
`Exhibit 2022
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`Frontal, side, and rear air bags
`The earliest air bags were single units mounted in the hub of the steering wheel, and were later joined by air bags
`mounted in passenger-side dashboards-collectively referred to as "frontal" air bags. Frontal air bags protect
`passengers in forward-facing accidents (i.e., crash damage to the front of the vehicle), Air bags mounted in the
`side of the vehicle (whether seat-mounted, door-mounted, or integral to the vehicle's frame) are designed to
`protect passengers from side impacts or rollovers and, accordingly, are called "side" air bags. The front
`passengers in many late-model vehicles are protected by both frontal and side air bags. Since rear-seat
`occupants are most commonly injured by a side impact or rollover, they are only protected by side air bags
`designed specifically for the rear seat-commonly referred to as "rear" air bags.
`
`Unlike the stringent regulations surrounding frontal air bags, the NHTSA does not regulate the design or
`placement of rear air bags themselves-they only regulate side-impact protection standards. Currently,
`automakers use voluntary testing standards to ensure rear air bag safety for passengers.
`
`Side air bags vs. curtain air bags
`Auto manufacturers use several different types of air bags to protect rear-seat passengers. The two most
`common designs are the side air bag and the "curtain" air bag (the name referring to their appearance as a large
`curtain when inflated).
`
`Side, or torso-type, air bags inflate from the door panels or the outside of the seats to protect the torso of the
`outboard passengers. When inflated, these air bags look much like small pillows. Working in the same manner
`as frontal air bags, side air bags are engineered to rapidly inflate and then immediately deflate.
`
`Curtain air bags, which are much larger than side air bags, deploy from the headliner and expand downward,
`covering the window to protect the passenger's head and upper body from the impact. These bags protect
`occupants in the front and rear seats. Curtain air bags are also installed in a number of vehicles with third-row
`seating, affording those passengers protection as well. This style of air bag is designed to rapidly inflate and
`remain inflated for up to six seconds, offering additional protection to restrain passengers from ejection in
`rollover-type crashes.
`
`Children and rear air bags
`Consumers have been educated about the dangers of children sitting behind front-seat air bags that can deploy
`with great force and injure small passengers. Unfortunately, the rates for injuries to children have caused undue
`apprehension about rear side air bags. After analyzing real-world crash data, the NHTSA has determined that
`children appear to be at no greater risk of injury in a vehicle equipped with rear side air bags than those without
`the safety feature.
`
`Standard and optional equipment
`Many automakers are making rear curtain air bags standard safety equipment in their new models. Side and
`torso-type air bags are frequently optional, giving new-vehicle shoppers the choice whether or not to purchase
`them for their vehicle (most standard rear side air bags can be deactivated by the dealership).
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`Regardless of the number of air bags your vehicle is equipped with, automotive safety begins with properly
`restraining all passengers. Children should be secured in age- and weight-appropriate car seats, while adults
`should wear seat belts. Complementing proper seat belt restraints with rear air bags-side or curtain-only
`increases passenger safety in the event of a side-impact collision or rollover.
`
`For more information about air bags or vehicle-specific air bag information, visit the National Highway Traffic
`Safety Administration's Web site, www.safercar.gov.
`
`Write a comment
`
`0 Comments
`
`Subscribe RSS
`
`You May Like
`
`Sponsored Links
`
`by Taboola
`
`
`
`
`Quicken Loans Urges Homeowners
`To Switch To A 15 Year Fixed
`Quicken Loans NMLS#3030
`
`The Highest Paying Cash Back
`Card Has Arrived (No Annual Fee)
`Credit com Credit Card Offers
`
`Big Data, Big Opportunities: How to
`Get Started in an Online Master's
`Program
`
`Whitmore Lake, Hire a Pro: The
`Best Solution for Your Small Home
`Projects
`
`This Genius Google Chrome Add-
`On Is Saving Amazon Shoppers a
`Ton of Cash
`
`This game kills boredom once and
`for all!
`Vikings: Free Online Game
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`The Story Behind Your Last Name
`Will Surprise You
`Ancestry
`
`20 Cars to Avoid At All Costs in
`2017
`SheBudgets com
`
`2017 Pickup Trucks You Have To
`See To Believe
`Truck Sponsored Ads
`
`From The Web
`
`More From JDPower
`
`Promoted Link
`
`Quicken Loans Urges Homeowners To Switch To A
`15 Y… (Quicken Loans, NMLS#3030)
`The Highest Paying Cash Back Card Has Arrived
`(No … (Credit.com Credit Card Offers)
`Big Data, Big Opportunities: How to Get Started in
`an Online Ma… (Full Sail University)
`Whitmore Lake, Hire a Pro: The Best Solution for
`Your Small Ho… (HomeAdvisor)
`This Genius Google Chrome Add-On Is Saving
`Amazon Shoppers a Ton… (Honey)
`New for 2010-Toyota Trucks
`New for 2009-Mazda
`New, Used & Certified Pre-Owned Cars for Sale
`Recall Roundup: Loose Lug Nuts Cause Cadillac
`Recall
`Top-Ranked Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in the J.D.
`Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study
`38 cars found for Jaguar
`2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi Pricing, Specs & Reviews
`How Car Companies Inspect Vehicles for Certified
`Pre-Owned Programs
`J.D. Power to Release 2017 Vehicle Dependability
`Study Findings on February 22
`4 cars found for Chevrolet Aveo
`2018 Chevrolet Volt Pricing, Specs & Reviews
`2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pricing, Specs &
`Reviews
`2018 Audi S3 Pricing, Specs & Reviews
`7 cars found for Land Rover LR4
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`2017 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe Pricing, Specs &
`Reviews
`PowerSteering: 2017 Honda Pilot Review
`28 cars found for GMC Yukon
`17 cars found for Mercury
`2018 BMW M4 Pricing, Specs & Reviews
`320 cars found for Hatchback No Name
`| J.D. Power Cars
`173 cars found for Mercedes-Benz
`2011 Nissan Leaf Preview
`8 cars found for Volkswagen GTI
`10 cars found for BMW X3
`
`NEW 2017 CHEVROLET TAHOE
`A DRIVING
`EXPERIENCE
`UNLIKE ANY
`OTHER.
`
`Feldman Chevrolet of
`New Hudson
`New Hudson, MI
`
`Explore More
`
`TIME IS TICKING!
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`by Taboola
`
`
`
`
`Advertisement
`
`Advertisement
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`Event ends May 31
`
`OFFER DETAILS
`
`Options shown.
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`Most Popular Articles
`10 Most Popular Luxury Cars
`Most Reliable 2016 Luxury...
`10 Most Popular Midsize SUVs and...
`10 Most Popular Compact SUVs and...
`2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Preview
`10 Most Popular Small Cars
`2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Unveiled,...
`10 Most Popular Luxury SUVs and...
`2016 Vehicle Dependability Study:...
`10 Most Popular Midsize Cars
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`

`

`Understanding Air Bags | J.D. Power Cars
`
`© 2017 J.D. Power. All Rights Reserved.
`J.D. Power is a member of CASRO and subscribes to the Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research.
`
`LEGAL NOTICES
`
`PRIVACY AND COOKIE NOTICES
`
`ADCHOICES
`
`TERMS OF USE
`
`CONTACT
`
`ADVERTISE WITH US
`
`Call
`M-R GROUP can help you find people you've lost contact
`(248)240-4825
`with. Whether it's an old friend from school, someone you
`met on vacation, or a family member you've not heard from
`in a long time.
`
`PEOPLE FINDER
`
`If you are trying to reconnect...let us help locate them! Our
`global network of resources will help to provide you with
`the information you need
`
`Man Cheats Credit Score
`1 simple trick & my credit score jumped 217 pts Banks hate this! Go to
`
`http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/tips-advice/understanding-air-bags[5/6/2017 11:07:42 PM]
`
`