Inyoury

Hi guys, I just noticed that the 2016 model does not have a switch to turn on/off the front passenger airbag. My 2012 model had it in Korea, but not my current one in the U.S.

I am wondering if the U.S. Model ever had one or they did away with it???

Thanks

Sometimes I let my son sit in the front going around the block with his race car seat there and want the airbag off.

snagitseven

None of my Audis since 2000 have such a switch in the U.S. It's all about our regulations.

It's also not safe to have a child seat in the passenger seat. Even around the block. Not positive but in some states it may even be illegal.

Inyoury

Thanks for the info. It's allowed in other areas of the world and in the current state I am in. We have a special seat for children that is meant for the front seat. It is tested and approved by TUV SUD front, rear seating as well as commercial airlines. But usually he rides with the wife in the rear next to his little sister in different car seats.

snagitseven

With the air bag activated, it wouldn't be wise to have a child in the front seat in any case. Even if it was off, everything I've read says the safest position is in the back seat.

The Car Seat Lady ? Where should I install my child?s car seat? Which spot is safest?

Inyoury

Well since the airbag can't be deactivated then I don't have much of a choice. I wouldn't think about putting my child in the front until he is bigger.

snagitseven

Of course. I wouldn't let my wife sit in the front passenger seat until she was 5' 4" tall (or 32 yrs old, whichever came first).

Mickelin

Standard on all Audis sold over here, most other makes as well. In Sweden, the consensus is that the safest place for a small infant is in a baby seat resting on the dash facing backward in the front passenger seat. This has been proven by a lot of research. Not necessarily in terms of side impact protection (where the middle of the back seat is most protected, if facing backward), but overall when you also consider the driver's ability to keep an eye on the kid and frontal impact. Of course, if there are more than one adult in the car, the safest is to have the baby (facing backward!) in the middle of the back seat with the second adult also in the back seat, but how often does that happen?

DB22

Most cars have smart air bags. Adult= Big Bang. Light weight= small bang. Less than x pounds = no bang.

KevinGary

My wife of 24 years must be less than x pounds. 😉

snagitseven

Studies show otherwise in the U.S. See the link in post #3.

And this one:

The Safest Seat in the Car: You Might Be Surprised | Esurance Blog