Have you ever thought about whether a simple steering wheel cover could mess with how an airbag works in a crash? It’s something a lot of drivers have opinions about on social media. Some worry that the extra layer might interfere with the airbag doing its job when it matters.
But is that concern valid? Could something as small as a steering wheel cover actually make things worse during an accident? Let’s break it down together and see what the facts say. This is one of those topics that might surprise you!
The Answer
The answer, according to research is NO. Steering wheel covers generally do not interfere with airbags, as long as they are designed properly and used on vehicles where they fit correctly. Airbags are engineered to deploy with significant force, and most covers don’t obstruct this process. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Proper Fit and Quality: A poorly fitted or overly thick steering wheel cover might shift or detach during a crash, potentially interfering with the airbag’s deployment path. Covers with excessive padding or rigid materials could pose a risk.
Aftermarket Modifications: If a steering wheel cover includes additional features, such as a built-in heating element or decorative elements, these might affect the functionality of the airbag if not specifically tested for compatibility.
OEM Recommendations: Vehicle manufacturers typically design airbags to work seamlessly with the factory-installed steering wheel. If you’re unsure, check your car’s manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm whether a particular cover is safe to use.
Important things to know about airbags
Now that we have concluded that steering wheel covers do not affect airbags let’s learn about airbags and how it behaves.
While airbags prevent serious injuries and save lives, they can also be very dangerous. So, it is very important to know how they function.
As an airbag inflates, it pushes its way out from between a split in the cover so none of the steering wheel (or cover), dashboard, or other surfaces in front hits the driver’s face or body. The airbag’s case is made tough so it doesn’t fracture and send shrapnel towards the driver. At the same time, in the event of an accident, seatbelt pre-tensioners would also deploy, ensuring that the driver is pulled away from the airbag action.
Pros of airbags
There are so many advantages of using airbags.
1. They provide extra protection:
Airbags are designed to work with seatbelts to help keep people in their seats and reduce the forward movement during a collision. They protect the driver and passengers from flying through the windshield or being ejected from the vehicle.
Also, in a frontal collision, your airbag can help protect you and your passengers from serious injuries such as broken bones, internal bleeding, and head or neck injuries because they are designed to cushion the impact.
2. They are pretty reliable:
Airbags have been around for decades and have a proven track record of saving lives. They are so reliable that most newer vehicles have multiple airbags. Before buying or renting any car make sure the airbags haven’t been tampered with, as this can be dangerous.
4. They offer protection for all body types:
Another pro of airbags is that it doesn’t matter your body size, big, medium or small. An airbag is there to save you. Smaller individuals may not have as much padding on their bodies as larger individuals, so airbags can help protect them from serious injuries.
5. They can save lives:
Airbags have been proven to be effective in saving lives and reducing the severity of injuries. in a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was found that “the use of seat belts in conjunction with airbags reduces the risk of fatal injury to front-seat occupants by about 45 percent.”
Cons of airbags
While there are many pros to using airbags, it is important to know the cons as well.
1. While they are designed to protect people from serious injuries, airbags can also cause injuries such as cuts, bruises, burns and even broken bones. In some cases, these injuries can be severe and even life-threatening.
2. There have been instances where airbags have deployed when they were not supposed to. This can happen if the vehicle is involved in a minor collision or if the airbag sensor is damaged.
3. If an airbag deploys, it will need to be replaced. Airbags can be expensive to replace, so it is important to know how much it would cost to replace one before you buy a car.
What could obstruct the airbag compartment?
There are many instances where things in your car can obstruct your airbag deployment. Some examples are:
1. A steering wheel cover that is not compatible with the car.
Even though we concluded that steering wheel covers don’t impede airbags it is worth knowing that if you have a steering wheel cover that is too thick or not compatible with your car, it could cause the airbag to deploy in the wrong way or not at all. If you are unsure about your steering wheel cover, it is best to consult with a professional.
2. A phone mount that is attached to the dashboard or windscreen.
If you have a phone mount that is attached to the dashboard or windscreen, it could be in the way of the airbag deployment. It is important to make sure that your phone mount is not obstructing your airbags before you get into an accident.
3. An aftermarket steering wheel.
Switching to an aftermarket steering wheel might seem like a cool upgrade, but it’s important to think about the bigger picture—your safety. Most aftermarket steering wheels are designed for aesthetics or performance, not safety, and many don’t include airbags at all. Even if they do, they’re often not perfectly compatible with your car’s airbag system, which could lead to the airbag deploying too late, too early, or not at all in a crash. Imagine depending on that split-second life-saving response, only to have it fail because of a modification. It’s not just a car part—it’s a safeguard for you and your loved ones and losing that peace of mind isn’t worth the risk.
4. A child seat in the front seat
Again, a child seat in the front of a car can obstruct an airbag system. If you have a child seat in the front seat, it is important to make sure that it is not obstructing your airbags before you get into an accident.
5. Rhinestones on the steering wheel
Some people want to customize the interior of cars by adorning their steering wheels with jewels. Truthfully, that can be nice. However, I advise against sticking ornaments in the way of the airbag.
Some people are using tacky rhinestone décor bought on the internet to make their airbags dangerous. These fragile and cheap stick-on “bling” decorations are laid over the top of the airbag, which is essentially an explosive.
If the vehicle crashes and the airbag deploys, you do not need a crash-safety expert to tell you this will have dire consequences.
6. Dashboard covers
If you install the wrong dashboard cover for your vehicle, it will certainly obstruct the airbag. By law, dashboard covers are supposed to allow airbags to work properly.
However, there is no law stopping people from buying inappropriate dashboard covers that will get in the way of an airbag if it goes off. That being said, do not make the mistake of buying and fitting such a cover because it looks good in your car.
It is outright dangerous!
7. Body parts
I will recommend that while driving, do not have any portion of your arm, hand, or fingers over the airbag module at any point in time.
One of my friends was hit by his steering wheel cover in a crash because he had his arm “relaxed” on the airbag compartment while driving. He described the pain: “it felt like a bad burn and stung”. He said he was thankful his arm was intact because he had heard worse stories.
Similarly, persons in the front seat are warned to desist from placing any part of their body up against the dashboard. In the case of a car crash, this action may be deadly.
All of these objects can obstruct the airbag and prevent it from deploying properly which could lead to serious injuries or even death. It is important to make sure that nothing is blocking your airbags before you get into an accident.
Final thoughts
While steering wheel covers may not affect airbags, there are still many things you should know about them. Airbags are a proven safety feature that can save lives, but they can also cause injuries if they deploy at the wrong time and cause harm.
It is best to be cautious and avoid any potential obstructions to the airbag compartment. Steering wheel covers should not affect airbags as long as they are not obstructing the airbag itself.
Thank you for reading! I hope this article was informative and helpful.