Quote:
Originally Posted by Space King
Comfort is definitely subjective. I'm 6'5" 225 (so we're punching in the same weight class), and I find the seats in my 4Runner more comfy than my Audi. Go figure.
I'm honestly not sure about this. I understand your point, as it often applies on other vehicles. I know that in the 4Runner, the front passenger airbag needs to rebound off of the windshield to deploy properly, yet the side curtain airbags don't appear to have any physical prerequisites.
Admittedly, I don't know what electronic interlocks may be in place... but from a purely mechanical standpoint, the side curtain airbags will deploy correctly independent of other airbags in the vehicle. They fire straight down from the sides of the headliner, and are restrained by the gap that forms in the a-pillar trim. The only impediment would be if they were unable to push the upper seatbelt anchor out of the way.
In any case, It's an excellent point to bring up.
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I don't know how the 4R airbag system deploys (but neither does anyone else here) because there are so many variables. Is there a scenario where the pax side curtain deploys when there there is no passenger in the seat? (it does - generally in a rollover). Does the seat airbag deploy? Perhaps. What we don't know is if the side curtain deploys the same way each time - regardless of if the seat airbag deploys. If the trick the system into thinking the airbag is there, will the rest of the system deploy all of the other airbags as if that seat airbag deployed - or if it didn't?
Good point about the windshield as well as the fewest people would consider that a part of the safety system and why it is vital to change a cracked windshield.
The airbag system makes literally millions of calculations prior to a deployment to answer one question "Will I reduce or avoid injuries if I deploy?"
Some vehicles take seat position and passenger weight into consideration. While the 4R doesn't do that, it does include active headrests to reduce whiplash injuries.
What else does the airbag system take into consideration and how will a swap affect the deployment of the rest of the system?
Manufacturers make the theoretical calculations when they decide on a a change - then they crash test the cars to validate their calculations.
We don't have that luxury, so we need to consider all of the consequences. While we can't consider unanticipated consequences, we can anticipate unintended consequences.
