Air Bags

[IanDouglas]

This is another question I have been wanting to ask as well, as the car is 10 years old, do airbags have a lifespan before they are no good? had to ask , again its nice to have a car with them in :) .

[peter026]

Lexus recommend airbags checked after first 10 years

[Scorpion]

Dont think so,but its a valid all the same.

More knowledgeable people will be along soon.

[Rob]

10 years, says this in the owners manual

[eXOBeX]

10 years, then every 2 years thereafter.

[legendswraith]

10 years, then every 2 years thereafter.

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i know it says that its 10 years but how do you test them u cant blow them up and repack can you

The inflation system is not unlike a solid rocket booster (see How Rocket Engines Work for details). The air bag system ignites a solid propellant, which burns extremely rapidly to create a large volume of gas to inflate the bag. The bag then literally bursts from its storage site at up to 200 mph (322 kph) -- faster than the blink of an eye! A second later, the gas quickly dissipates through tiny holes in the bag, thus deflating the bag so you can move.

like to know how you check that its like we don't check ejection seats work by sitting in them and banging out must just be a continuity check

[Brettster]

maybe they replace the gas and repowder the bag

but i dont know

[IanDouglas]

It seems inadvertently ive raised an interesting point, but if needs be I will get them checked if recommended. :) . The car is still being serviced and had new rear brakes fitted at no extra cost to me , cant be bad :D

[eXOBeX]

Probably just a visual inspection and interrogation of the airbags' ECU (was digging around in my old GS, found a panel under the back seat. Took it off, found an airbag diagnostics port and a warning on the panel saying "DO NOT REMOVE" - yikes! Needless to say I put the cover straight back!