USA version did have an airbag.
Mark
Mark
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Mon Cher Ami ...
Mon Cher Ami
I agree with Paul and Gubli.
Even if you were successful in installing the airbag …
How would you test it and make sure it is connected correctly?
Maybe you can try it out on the “periferique” and run over some 2CV’s …
Mon Cher Ami
I agree with Paul and Gubli.
Even if you were successful in installing the airbag …
How would you test it and make sure it is connected correctly?
Maybe you can try it out on the “periferique” and run over some 2CV’s …
Interesting question there, Massimo. Please allow me to pass on some facts on the series 4 Spider airbags. We own two Spiders, a '91 and a '94.
The airbag systems in these cars were a nuisance, a continual problem. The most common problem was if you hit a pothole or fairly large bump in the road surface, one of the sensors would engage, thus illuminating the "CHECK AIRBAG" warning light. Unless you knew how to reset the airbag processor unit, you had to take the car back to the dealer for a reset. This problem was fairly common. Our airbags are unplugged at the steering wheel, with the connector taped. I got very tired of dealing with this situation!
The airbag system itself is quite complex, consisting of a small dedicated ECU, several impact sensors, wiring with special connectors, and of course the airbag unit itself within the North American steering wheel assembly.
I suggest you consider the risk of attempting to integrate all this into your Spider successfully, knowing that about any type of short circuit or electrical fault could possibly either disable the system or even fire the airbag. Would you really want to risk that happening while you are driving? With all due respect, I hope you reconsider (although I understand you have a concern for safety). Airbags are engineered into modern vehicles, not added onto them.
Regards--
The airbag systems in these cars were a nuisance, a continual problem. The most common problem was if you hit a pothole or fairly large bump in the road surface, one of the sensors would engage, thus illuminating the "CHECK AIRBAG" warning light. Unless you knew how to reset the airbag processor unit, you had to take the car back to the dealer for a reset. This problem was fairly common. Our airbags are unplugged at the steering wheel, with the connector taped. I got very tired of dealing with this situation!
The airbag system itself is quite complex, consisting of a small dedicated ECU, several impact sensors, wiring with special connectors, and of course the airbag unit itself within the North American steering wheel assembly.
I suggest you consider the risk of attempting to integrate all this into your Spider successfully, knowing that about any type of short circuit or electrical fault could possibly either disable the system or even fire the airbag. Would you really want to risk that happening while you are driving? With all due respect, I hope you reconsider (although I understand you have a concern for safety). Airbags are engineered into modern vehicles, not added onto them.
Regards--
Massimo- I'm a father also. I understand your concern.
Why not consider a set of 4 or 5 point seat belts? I'm sure you could get some information from the Spider Forum here on where to attach them to the body structure. These belts would do a better job of keeping the driver and passenger firmly held in the seats, compared to the over-the-shoulder original style belts. You may also wish to post the question in the Motorsports section.
The best driving lesson I ever learned that I have already impressed upon my 11 year old son is that the laws of physics apply to ALL of us! I know that because I tried several times to defy them!
Why not consider a set of 4 or 5 point seat belts? I'm sure you could get some information from the Spider Forum here on where to attach them to the body structure. These belts would do a better job of keeping the driver and passenger firmly held in the seats, compared to the over-the-shoulder original style belts. You may also wish to post the question in the Motorsports section.
The best driving lesson I ever learned that I have already impressed upon my 11 year old son is that the laws of physics apply to ALL of us! I know that because I tried several times to defy them!
I'd be less concerned about airbags (which I suspect have dubious safety gains in the first place if the car is properly engineered otherwise, and the occupants wear their seatbelts - PROPERLY ADJUSTED...) and more concerned about roll-overs in these tiny convertibles. Rather than try to retrofit a potentially hazardous device, I'd go for a roll-bar.
I've put a little thought into Spider safety myself. Coming from the world of Datsun/Nissan Z cars, I'm fairly confident about their safety based on the basic design of the car and what I've heard from folks who have been in Z crashes. But the Spider is a totally different animal, especially with being a convertible. I can say that if I were married and my wife wanted a Spider, I would almost certainly put a roll-bar in it. I don't know if I'd ever get over it if someone I cared about got seriously injured or killed for such a preventable reason.
With that said, do I have a roll-bar in my own personal Spider? No way!!!! Seriously....it's something I've considered, and will probably do if I start using the car for more than just Sunday drives on back-roads.
I've put a little thought into Spider safety myself. Coming from the world of Datsun/Nissan Z cars, I'm fairly confident about their safety based on the basic design of the car and what I've heard from folks who have been in Z crashes. But the Spider is a totally different animal, especially with being a convertible. I can say that if I were married and my wife wanted a Spider, I would almost certainly put a roll-bar in it. I don't know if I'd ever get over it if someone I cared about got seriously injured or killed for such a preventable reason.
With that said, do I have a roll-bar in my own personal Spider? No way!!!!
Seriously....it's something I've considered, and will probably do if I start using the car for more than just Sunday drives on back-roads.1 - 13 of 13 Posts
