AlanW

Since the airbag in the late 06 TL worked properly and saved me from serious injury or worse (without sending shrapnel into my chest), I am paying more attention to safety items. I knew the MDX has a very high safety rating and figured it had a good airbag system, I did not realize an 08 MDX has a total of 10 airbags in it, including ones for front seat passenger's knees. And apparently one-piece side curtain bags that cover all three rows of seats.

Capt O out...I'll go play quietly by myself now.

thoiboi

at your service!

mrgold35

That and the 10-13 Adv model has CMBS with M.I.D. warning, seat belt pre-tensioners, and magnetic shocks that stiffen on hard braking and turns to keep the MDX level. The extra safety tech can give you a few extra moments to make a decision to avoid using the last option of the airbags. Some folks complain about the new safety tech. I wouldn't purchase another car without it.

thoiboi

Embracing technology, that's the spirit!

AlanW

I would embrace the new safety features if I could afford a newer vehicle (vehicle that I like) that has them.
Many are calling them "nanny" features, but the radar braking & lane change warning/prevention are awesome.
I sure we're all good to great drivers on an enthusiast board like this, but everybody has those moments that we almost change lanes with somebody in the blind spot or just don't notice something stopped up ahead in plenty of time. My wife, especially my wife, these things would help....

thoiboi

It's just a sign of the times. You're more progressive than most

Its just like the same conversation a few years ago.. "back in my day we didn't have seat belts and we were alive..."

mrgold35

I did the airbag recall on my RDX a few months ago. I had a minor front end accident about a year before that and lucky for me the old Takata recalled airbag didn't deploy because of the low speed. Scary to think me or my family could have died because of something that is suppose to save lives and lessen injury.

My son also had a minor front end accident in the 06 TSX back in 2014; which, deployed the driver's steering wheel airbag only. I really think both accidents would have been avoided if the RDX and TSX both had the Acura Watch Plus. My 11 MDX Adv safety system have kicked in several times and that might have saved me a trip to the body shop.

The wife did get rear-ended in the MDX from a woman talking on a cell phone at a stop light (very low speed impact). Mostly just cosmetic damage (replace chrome trim, plastic bumper, and OEM hitch plug. no painting. ). Not sure what new safety feature can help with that?

AlanW

or: oh, cigarette smoking won't hurt you

AlanW

Is there a minimum speed that the airbags won't go off (like under 25 mph or something), or is it based on how hard the impact is?

thoiboi

Good question, not sure..

http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle-Shop...gs/General-FAQ

mrgold35

I thought the airbags uses a "G force" sensor to measure the impact of the crash to determine airbag deployment. You could be stopped a light and a car from the opposite lane can do a head-on and your airbags will deploy. Recently tested out a few weeks ago with my niece's boyfriend driving home in his state trooper car and a teenage kid ran the left hand turn arrow, lost control of his car, and head on crashed into his car. His front airbags deployed; but, he still got a concussion from the impact.

Skirmich

Not all of the airbags will deploy in a crash anyway... Side curtains and lower tight support is only there for side impacts, in case of a front crash I doubt you will see more than the steering and dash airbag deploying.

AlanW

I argue with my wife about this. She will let one of our little Beagles sit in her lap (when she is driving) on certain streets with lower speed limits & not much traffic.
I keep telling her even though you are going slow & feel safe-if the steering wheel airbag goes off it will kill the dog. It could even be from a deer jumping out if the impact is hard enough, right?

The TL took the hit on the left front, even though there was some side impact vector, only the steering wheel bag deployed, no side head curtain. But my head didn't hit anything either so I guess the car got it right.

Its been almost exactly a month since my airbag experience & my chest still hurts when I cough deeply.

Skirmich

The issue with the Side Sensors is that, they are on the sides...
Specifically the Driver and Passenger doors so unless there is hard G Horizontal Forces on them they wont deploy.. In case the side curtains do go off in the MDX it will be a hella of money to repair... It will rip through the A + B Pillars and take all of the roof lining with it.

mrgold35

I hear about this in my town; but, with infants and toddlers. Everyone drive full size SUVs and pick-ups with dark tinted windows and some people drive with a kid on their lap. The kid ends up in the hospital with the mom with much less injuries because they used their kid as a safety device.

No-one plans to have an accident. If they did, it would be called "I had an on purpose" instead of an accident.