How does an airbag work?

February, 2019

We all know airbags save lives and while things like autonomous emergency braking are grabbing headlines airbags are vital for occupant protection. But, how does an airbag work? 

Airbags are a vital piece of automotive safety equipment and it’s impossible to imagine a modern vehicle being released without a whole swag of the things scattered around the cabin. But that wasn’t always the case.

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Who invented the airbag?

Rough patents for an airbag released after contact with the vehicle’s bumper date back to the 1950s, but it wasn’t until US researcher, Allan Breed created a sensor and safety system that the airbag was born.

It was Mercedes-Benz that first introduced the airbag, right?

Wrong. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class released in 1981 offered an airbag as a cost-option but the headline grabber wasn’t the airbag but the fact that it combined with seatbelt pre-tensioning to reduce the force of contact of an occupant and the airbag. 
Indeed, airbag system but without the seatbelt restraint had been available in the 1970s after development breakthroughs (the use of the same sodium azide propellant used today) in the 1960s that allowed airbags to inflate without 30 milliseconds. These early airbags were offered by Ford, GM and Chrysler as cost-options but without the seatbelt restraint component they failed to gain popularity. Indeed, many car makers railed against safety advocates pushing for the further development of airbags and greater use. 
Some advocated the use of airbags instead of seatbelts but seatbelt as a mandatory safety item won out around the world and stifled development of the airbag. It wasn’t until 1987 and the release of the Porsche 944 Turbo that an airbag and seatbelt restraint system were fitted as standard equipment. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that the fitment of airbags onto a wide range of vehicles became a thing.

Where are airbags hidden?

Depending on the number and types of airbags your vehicle is fitted with they’ll generally be hiding behind plastic flaps designed to flip up and out of the way when the airbag is deployed. You can usually tell where the airbag is via the SRS branding which stands for Supplemental Restraint System, the airbag was named SRS after it was accepted that seatbelts would become the primary safety feature of a vehicles with the airbag as support.

How is an airbag triggered?

Many believe it’s the impact that causes the deployment of an airbag but that’s not quite true. Rather, it’s a sudden and rapid deacceleration that triggers the deployment but that doesn’t mean slamming on the brakes will cause the airbags to deploy. 
The sensors used to detect ‘an impact’ which causes the sudden and rapid deacceleration are called MEMS accelerometers. To keep it simple, there’s an element inside the sensor that measures the deceleration and then sends a signal to trigger the airbag. This type of sensor needs to be used because collisions don’t always occur in the same way they do in the controlled environment of a crash test lab and speeds are almost always either higher or lower than repeatable crash tests. 
And the programming of airbag triggering sensors is becoming more and more complex as technology improves. These days, airbag deployment (depending on the vehicle – adaptive airbag deployment is usually something linked to premium cars with things like electric seats) speed can be adjusted based on things like the weight of the driver and passenger, seat position and speed of the impact/deacceleration.

Is it just air that inflates the airbag?

Very early airbags were filled with carbon dioxide but that was knocked on the hand because it couldn’t fill the bag fast enough. Now, airbags are inflated via sodium azide…once the sensor contacts the cylinder containing the sodium azide the electric charge detonates an ignition compound which causes the sodium azide to decompose and convert into sodium metal and nitrogen gas – it’s the gas that inflates the airbag. From the moment the sensor detects the deceleration to the complete inflation of the airbag takes just 30 milliseconds which is less time than it takes to say ’30 milliseconds’. The driver or passenger will have hit the now deflating airbag within 50 milliseconds. 
It’s worth noting that depending on where you live, say, US or Europe or Australia, the size of the airbag, and force of inflation, in your vehicle can differ. Quite often, US-built cars have slightly bigger and more forceful airbags than those built in Europe.

What happens when the airbag deflates?

If you’ve spoken with anyone who’s been in a collision where the airbags have inflated they’ll tell you about the dust in the cabin. When the airbag inflates it immediately begins deflating and that’s what absorbs the driver/passengers impact. 
As the airbag deflates, the gas escaping from the vents at the back of the airbag, once it encounters air, becomes sodium carbonate, or baking soda.

Also read: How To Protect Your Car’s Interior

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 Source - www.msn.com

Top 5 road signs you must know about

FEBRUARY, 2019

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Speed limit

One might argue that the speed limits in our country are too stringent. But it is necessary to remember that these speed regulations have been devised keeping in mind the capabilities of an average driver, the environment you are in and the capabilities of the vehicles plying on the road. So even if you consider yourself to be as good as Michael Schumacher, always adhere to the speed limits.

Give way

A ‘Give Way’ sign usually warns motorists of an impending junction ahead. It indicates that the driver must prepare to stop if necessary to let a driver from the opposite lane pass, thus giving the oncoming traffic a higher priority.

Hospital

In a country which accounts for about 10 per cent of road accident fatalities worldwide, the ‘Hospital’ sign can be saviour for many. It indicates the presence of a hospital in the vicinity, for those in need of medical attention as well as a caution sign for drivers to be careful of the surroundings.

No standing or parking

A ‘No standing or parking’ sign prohibits road users from stopping their vehicle in the area. While a ‘No Parking’ only prohibits users from leaving their vehicle parked and/or unattended, you are allowed to halt for small durations and to drop off or pick up a passenger. The ‘No standing or parking’ sign though absolutely forbids you from stopping at any given time.

Pedestrian crossing

A pedestrian crossing, commonly known as a zebra crossing, is a designated part of a road for the pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians have the right of way through these sections. The regulations require drivers to stop and give way to a pedestrian intending to cross the road through a zebra crossing.

Also read: Weekly Checklist For The Smooth Functioning Of Your Car

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To Know More Honda Car Workshop in Borivali and Andheri,Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

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Return of The Civic: Did you know?

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1. The 1st generation Civic was introduced in July 1972 as a two door hatch, and later as a 3 door hatchback model

2. With an 1169cc transverse engine and front wheel drive.The car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. Initially gaining a reputation for being fuel-efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly, later iterations have become known for performance and sportiness, especially the Civic Type R, , Civic VTi & Civic GTi

3. The 1st generation Civic (1972-79) came as a rescue for Honda since its previous model Honda 1300 did not do well in the market and it even forced Honda to think of withdrawing from the business all together.

4. Introduction of Civic (1st generation) turned business in Honda's favour, thanks to its economy, reliability and low cost in an era of rising fuel prices.

5. The 1st generation Civic was joined by a platform expansion of the three-door hatchback, called the Honda Accord in 1976.

Happy selling

Also read: Car Maintenance Top 10 Tips - To Keep Your Car Looking New

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To Know More Honda Car Showroom in Borivali and Andheri,Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

Weekly Checklist For The Smooth Functioning Of Your Car

Your car takes you safely anywhere you want to go and in return, it just requires that you take good care of it regularly. Taking care of your car is important for its smooth running and for your safety as well. You don't need to be a car enthusiast or a mechanic to perform the basic regular inspections and tune-ups of your car. Learn a few simple maintenance tips to avoid any accident or injuries. Spare some time and make sure that these 11 things are examined every week to keep your car reliable, safe, and road-ready.

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follow these things every week

1. The Engine Oil

A clean and correct level of oil in your engine keeps your car running smoothly. Check your oil level by simply by pulling out the dipstick and note the mark. Checking the oil level regularly is a good practice to catch leakages. Change the engine oil as recommended by the manufacturer or mechanic on a regular basis.

2. The Tyre Pressure

Improperly inflated tyres cause blowouts resulting in worst cases. Also, the wrong level of inflation can decrease your fuel efficiency. Check your tyres every week for correct tyre pressure using a tire pressure gauge. Keep your tyres inflated with correct pressure as recommended by the tyre manufacturer.

3. The Brakes

Don’t wait for that shrieking sound to figure out that the brake pads have worn out. Always have a pro check on your brakes so that they work efficiently in those panic stops also and prevent an accident.

4. The Battery

Examine your car battery for signs of wear and corrosion. As soon as you notice that your car doesn't start up as effortlessly as it used to be, check all the contact points of the battery. Clean those contact points up that are gummed up by the battery components.

5. The Transmission Fluid

Facing difficulty in shifting the gears while driving is not something that can be ignored for some time. To keep your car in your control always, ensure that the transmission fluid is topped up to the right level and is changed regularly so you can shift transmission smoothly.

6. The Alignmentl

Bad alignment affects the way how your car manages on the road. Keep a regular eye on your alignment and adjust it as needed to make sure your car responds perfectly when you steer.

7. The Windshield Wipers

Replace the wipers as soon as you figure out that its blade is coming loose, cracking, or any gaps in the coverage when they are operating.

8. The Spark Plug

Check the spark plugs of your car customarily and also, replace them when needed. As they play a vital role in your car's fuel combustion mechanism and can stall your engine.

9. The Air Filter

Make it a regular part of your car maintenance routine to check the air filter and replace it when needed. A clogged air filter blocks the proper air passage through the engine and increases fuel consumption.

10. The Lights – All of Them

Headlights, turn signals, reverse lights, brake lights or any other light on your should function properly. Check all the lights of your caron a regular basis to avoid any kind of misunderstanding and to prevent accidents.

11. Wash Your Car Regularly

Besides going through all the regular maintenance keep your car clean and wash it daily to prevent your car from being affected by the climatic factor that may eat up the vehicle's exterior.

Also read: How To Install Wiper Blades

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To Know More Honda Car Workshop in Borivali and Andheri , Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

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Driving mistakes everyone makes – and how to fix them

We’re afraid to say that you may have been driving the wrong way for all these years. But you’re far from alone. Here’s the Autocar guide to common motoring errors, and how to fix them:

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Incorrectly using the ventilation recirculation button.

You may have a vague idea that this is the button you press (circled here) when you’re trailing behind an old van belching black smoke like it’s a giant container ship. And this would indeed be the right thing to do. But you shouldn’t use it in winter after entering your car, because it will take a lot longer to de-fug the windows.

But you should use it at least temporarily on hot days at start-up because it will get the temperature down the quickest. And while we're on the subject, on a hot day lower all the windows to allow the hot air out of the car before first setting off; then close them after a few minutes to get the full benefits of your air conditioning.

Not using the parking brake with automatics.

Even some modern automatic gearboxes don’t automatically engage the parking brake when you engage Park and switch off the engine. But you always should engage it, since relying on the transmission entirely to demobilise what might be a heavy car on a hill puts it under a lot of stress it could easily do without.

Additionally, you may go on vacation and end up driving a stick-shift rental car in a hilly area. Having got out of the habit of using the handbrake after you park your car could cause you a great deal of trouble.

Not allowing a space of 3-4 feet in front of you in traffic.

When pulling up behind another car in traffic, always allow a space of around 3-4 feet from the car in front. This allows enough space to always overtake them when they break down or become otherwise immobile.

Not standing on the brakes when you really have to.

If you need to stop quickly, stand on those brakes. Modern brakes are very powerful, and modern tires are very effective in stopping you too. Let them do their work; don’t worry about locking-up – nearly all modern cars have anti-lock brakes (ABS) fitted, and most have stability control and automatic wheel-brake distribution too, which will also help.

Many accidents occur not only because drivers don’t brake early enough, but also not hard enough. If your car has automatic emergency braking, even better – but don’t ever switch it off.

Not using the steering-wheel mounted shortcut buttons.

These were originally invented for safety reasons, not convenience. Once you get the habit of altering functions like the audio system through them, it will ensure you take your eyes off the road far less and you’re much less likely to have an accident.

Not checking your tires.

This may sound like a simple one, but it’s something that’s so readily ignored, and yet your tires are so important. After all, the only contact your car physically has with the road – whether it’s a sports car, a compact or an SUV – are those four small patches of rubber.

So, the law in most states of America requires you to have a minimum of 2/32 of an inch (1.6mm) of tread on your tires, and that’s more or less the same for most developed nations.

How to check? Simply place a penny into your tire's tread groove with Abraham Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tread depth is less than the minimum needed. If your locality is notably wet, it’s safer to replace tires quite a bit sooner. Tire-makers recommend you check your tire tread depth and your air pressure level once per month.

Playing loud music.

We’re all guilty of it. Your favourite song comes on the radio so you automatically crank up the volume. But did you know that playing loud music, while enjoyable, also has a detrimental effect on your ability to focus? This was demonstrated by research conducted by the Memorial University of Newfoundland, which showed a direct link between a higher sound volume and reaction time.

Incredibly, when music was played at just 95 decibels (the average smartphone speaker is capable of over 100 dBA), reaction times increased by 20% across all participants. Additionally, loud music can also mask the noise of your engine, which can make judging your speed more difficult. So if you’re planning on going for a spirited country drive, make sure you turn the radio off.

Also read: How To Protect Your Car’s Interior

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To Know More Honda Car Service Center in Borivali and Andheri, Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

 Source - www.msn.com

How To Protect Your Car’s Interior

Try to add up the hours you spend in your car. It’s a lot, isn’t it? Commutes, errand runs and road trips can have you sitting in those bucket seats for hours on end, and during that time, you and your passengers are actually living in the interior. That means smudges on the windows, scratches on the dash and food in the seat crevices accumulate and leave you wondering what happened to the spotless interior you swear it had when you first bought the car.

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A Quick Clean

Luckily, it’s not that difficult to keep a car’s cabin from looking a little too, well, lived in. First things first, get something to stuff your trash into. Just use a plastic bag or a container you don’t use around the house and throw it in the backseat. You can even affix a temporary hook to the door or seat to keep things even neater. Every once and awhile, take it out and relish in the fact that you haven’t spent an hour cleaning up. Keeping trash off the floor also preserves your carpets, which can get stained from any number of items.

The idea of taking a rag to your dash and leather seats is made easier if you have them on-hand. The key here is to just use a little bit of soapy water to wipe the surfaces of your car – some cleaning products contain alcohols that prematurely dry and age the materials by reducing the flexibility in the vinyl. Store a small spray bottle of your homemade cleaning fluid and a rag under your seat or in a storage bin for access when you’re waiting for your kids to get out of school or sitting in that crazy-long drive-through line. This will also come in handy when an emergency spill happens. Lastly, keep your car smelling like roses (or at least a laundromat) by adding dryer sheets under the seats.

Weather Resistant

You can’t discount the impact weather has on your vehicle either. In summer, sandy feet can quickly make a mess of an interior, and dare we mention the destruction caused by mud and snow? If you spend a lot of time ducking in and out of the elements, you might want to grab some all-weather floor mats. They’re easy to clean and do a great job of keeping the muck in one place.

The sun’s rays can also wreak havoc on your car’s surfaces, causing vinyl to crack over time and materials to fade. A simple solution is to regularly put a sunshade on the windshield. They’re inexpensive and help to keep your interior looking new.

Saving money on repair work and cleaning comes more easily when you take the time to make preventative care a priority. Not only will these tricks make your car a nicer place to be, keeping grime out of your ride will cut down on large maintenance costs in the future and will help to retain its value over time.

Also read: Seatbelt Maintenance

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Source - www.carcare.org

Seatbelt Maintenance

Seatbelts in its modern form have gone through a lot of initial development. Volvo was the first manufacturer to offer seatbelts as a part of standard equipment in all their cars in 1955 and were soon followed by other manufacturers globally. In India, a provision to fit seatbelts became compulsory in 1991 and factory fitted seatbelts for the front seats became compulsory in 1995. Today, seatbelts are a compulsory fitment for all front-facing seats in any car sold in India. A seatbelt’s maintenance though is something we take for granted, as they are not known to go wrong.

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Here are some tips that will help you keep your car’s seatbelts in top shape.

1. Cleaning seatbelts

If by chance you do spill something on your seatbelts and it leaves a stain, use mild soap and warm water when cleaning spills from the seatbelts. Do not use a strong detergent, bleach or dye, since these caustic fluids may weaken the belt's material and affect the seatbelts basic integrity. A dirty seatbelt apart from being weaker due to gradual disintegration of the seatbelt material also looks dirty especially if the seatbelt is a shade of beige or brown.

Advanced drivers can also use the light reflected off trees to be able to judge whether a vehicle is approaching. While navigating these turns, one should slow down and keep in their own lane. If another vehicle is approaching, and there isn't enough space, it is best to let the other vehicle pass and then continue.

2. Keep the buckle areas clear

Keep the buckle area clean and dry. Foreign particulates, dust and liquids can clog up the buckles and prevent them from doing their jobs properly. Also remember to squirt a dab of WD40 into your seatbelt buckles to keep them smooth and rust free. Older cars are prone to seatbelt holder failures due to fault springs inside the buckle assembly. If your car faces this issue, replace the buckles from an authorised service centre.

Find a place to put up and let the rain and snow stop or road ice to melt before going on. If you decide to move on, for whatever reason, wait for a larger vehicle to approach and ask them to help. Trucks plying on these roads have powerful engines and enough torque to tow you and cross the steep climb.

3. Replace your seatbelt if damaged or worn

Seatbelts are not something you would want to take a chance with. If you find the stitching on the seatbelt to be coming off or the seatbelt itself facing wear issues, it is best to replace them as soon as possible. By design, seatbelts cannot be repaired. If they are damaged, especially if bits that hold integral parts like the loops that hold the buckle (which also act as a force limiter) are showing signs of stretching, it is best to change them as soon as possible. Remember to get them replaced only by an authorised service centre as the bolt used to fasten a seatbelt assembly to the body of your car and the torque to be applied on that bolt are very specific and are best left to professionals.

Although it is advisable to use only company provided seatbelts, aftermarket race seatbelts and harnesses can also be used for specialty applications. For motorsport uses, a 4-point/5-point/7-point harness is usually compulsory. It is essential that the mounting points for these belts are on a separate bolt on the body structure or on a roll cage type structure. Remember to always use Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) approved seatbelts from manufacturers like Sparco, Recaro, Sabelt, Simpson, etc. for motor sport applications.

Also read: New Car Buying Tips

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