Your vehicle’s airbag system is one of the more important safety components of your automobile. Airbags are deployed upon impact and can protect you and your passengers from fatal blows during an accident. Airbags have saved thousands of lives, but in order to do so, they must be checked and maintained on a regular basis.
The most important parts of the success of the airbag system are the crash sensors, and these sensors need to be checked by a certified mechanic. There are two types of airbag sensors in cars: electrical and mechanical. According to this article:
“Electrical sensors vary in design. Some use an electromechanical "ball and tube" mechanism, which basically consists of a small tube containing a circuit switch and ball that's held together by a small magnet. If a collision occurs, the ball is dislodged from the magnet and rolls forward in the tube, hitting a switch that completes the electrical circuit. Other electrical designs are similar in principle, using a metal roller or spring loaded weight instead of a ball, or in newer cars, an accelerometer to trip the sensor. Mechanical sensors work independent of the electrical system and respond similarly to the electrical sensors, with a design that actuates a firing pin triggering a small explosion after a crash. Since a mechanical sensor does not require a power source, it cannot be deactivated like an electrical sensor can when the battery is disconnected.”
At Robert’s Auto Repair, our certified technicians can check your vehicle to make certain everything related to your vehicle’s airbag system is in order. From the airbags, to the sensors, to the inflators that deploy the system when triggered, we will check to make sure your airbag system meets factory specifications.
In addition to airbag system maintenance, our mechanical repair technicians can provide complete minor and major maintenance for your vehicle. To schedule an appointment online, click here. To contact us during business hours, call our main number at (831) 645-4712. Robert’s Auto Repair is located at 234 Ramona Avenue in Monterey, close to the Highway 1 Del Monte Exit for Pacific Grove. We look forward to seeing you soon.