I recently went to put my boys car seat in the front of my 2008 model 520 Sport but could not find a way to turn off the front passenger airbag.

After consulting the manual it would appear that the necessary switch is optional!

This makes no sense to me at all and certainly wasn't mentioned when I ordered the car. Every other car I have ever owned with a front passenger airbag had an off switch fitted as standard.

Can someone please explain the reasoning behind this, or better still tell me I've missed something and how to turn it off!

Joe.

 

I'm not sure if it's optional, but in my 520d LCI it's in the Handschuhfach - on the right side. Impossible to miss. There also is an indicator near the center mirror, that lights up yellow with a text (something like 'air bag passenger side off') when it's turned off. This indicator is 2.5 by 5 centimeter.

FYI: I have option 470 (Isofix). It may be included in that. I hope for you that it's not.

Bouke

 

I have 2 kid and I never put them in the front of the car, alway in the back seats, much more safer for the kid and the driver.
If you needed to do any thing to the kid just stop and get out and do what ever you what
but never in the front when you are driving, much to dangurs.

about the airbag in the front I would not disable it at all.
only do it at the back seat if you have to.
If you do what to disable it you will need to goto the deal and fill out a form and signed saying you what the airbage disabled
if you disable the airbag your self BMW will not be responsable for the airbag in a crash if it dont work.

 

Front airbag disable is an option but can also be retrofitted part number 61310409985 and 51168268260. Comes with a key in the glovebox to turn the airbag off and a headliner mounted indicator to show that it is off. Note : Only front passenger's airbag can be turned off.

 

Bruce

Is this possible for Pre-LCI models ? Is it a mod that is easy to carry out ? Will the dealer do it for you ??

Thanks.

 

I would only trust the dealer to do this. The kit is sold for any car after 09/2005.

 

100% NO they will not mod the airbage its agenst the law to mod airbags from the dealer with out signing a form.
if you mod it your self and any thing happens, the the dealer will not be responsable for any loss.

Be safe and be smart

 

I now totally agree with pingu, although I was pissed when I ordered the car and the dealer told me that I could not have option 470 (Isofix + desactivation of passenger airbag) with the sport seats.

 

Same thing happened to me when I ordered my LCI 525dT. The dealer told me that from the LCI and on, ISOFIX with the ability to turn off the front airbag is only available with the sport seat if you order the electric seat controls.

In Sweden, having the child in the front seat is very common and research have shown that it is the safest place. Ordering a Touring without the front ISOFIX option here would make it a little harder to sell as a used car. Some dealers always add the option for new cars.

By the way, when I was driving in Germany a few weeks ago, a woman drove into the rear of my car while she was attending her baby in the rear seat. I had stopped for a red light and was quite surprised when she hit me.

 

O well $hit happens.
See what I mean you must stop if you going to attending the baby in front or the back, its like talking on the phone as you are driving, 100% on the road so very dangres
I have traned my baby and kid to sit and not do anything as when I am driving, I always say to them itis very unsafe to play and we could all die.
now they can sit for over 40min without destarting my driving.
for HK no most people dont care about ISOFIX so it would not make a diffrent in the selling price.
not many peoplr have baby seats cos they think itis OK not to have them, most will hold the baby in the arms which is the most stupid thing to do to a baby. :thumbsdown: