Car seat

[csh711]

Does anyone know if you could put a car seat in the passenger seat? If so, would it have to face forward or backward? Or could it do both?

[jwight]

The smart USA site lists this feature: Top Tether for child restraint system

I've seen (can't remember where) that the passenger side air bag can be disabled, so it's possible to put in a car seat. I'd check with a dealer once they have more info to offer.

[MikeJCW]

My (2006) MINI has a passenger airbag that automatically turns on/off as it measures the weight of whatever is in the seat, whether child or heavy object then makes a decision. Some cars have this feature and some have a manual way to disable the airbag. Some cars may not have it at all.

[propes]

I've read the smart is the same way.

I'm curious if there are other manual methods. My mother-in-law is under 5' (as is her sister), and their weight may kick off the airbag, even if they're supposed to be off for people that size.

[Smartster]

The smart in the US/Canada can't manually turn off/on the airbag but it does turn off the passenger side airbags if it doesn't sense a certain amount of weight, sorry I don't have the manual in front of me but when I get back after the game I'll get you the weight needed to turn on the airbags, but if you are really lite you might need to put a few rolls of quarters in your pockets ;)

[propes]

Actually, for really small people airbags should be off, because they hit the body in the wrong place.

Actually, that there's no manual off is pretty typical. You used to (maybe still can) get federal certificates allowing you to turn off airbags if you're a certain height, but most body-shops won't do it, because they fear lawsuits. The weight sensor is probably the best option.

[Smartster]

funny the manual doesn't set a weight just says weight of a typical 12 mouth old child and a standard child seat as the point where it keeps the airbag off.

But figured out an easy trick, all you need to do is start the car and wait 4 seconds before your passanger gets in, the airbag senor only checks within the first 4 seconds if there is a passanger so if you want to keep the airbags off just tell your passanger to wait a couple seconds

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by Smartster

... the airbag senor only checks within the first 4 seconds if there is a passanger so if you want to keep the airbags off just tell your passanger to wait a couple seconds

Uh, I hope not. That would present a SERIOUS design flaw and a catastrophic failure of reason.

Stick with me here... What If I started the car in the parking lot then came and picked up my wife from the porta cochere > 4 seconds later because it was raining and said rain caused *somebody else to skid into me at the edge of said parking lot. What? Sorry honey, No airbag for you tonight.


*of course it's not my fault. I'm an EXCELLENT driver.

[Smartster]

Very good point, I re-read the manual and it doesn't say that it will turn on after the first 4 second check but it also doesn't say it will turn off, but it does say if the light is saying the airbag is off the passanger should adjust themselves and the light should turn off, so I guess the senor is always active as your point is very very valid and logical.

One thing I can say for sure is it says it doesn't turn of the side airbag ever, so don't think that's an issue, night be nice as could keep glass off the driver or child from the side window.