How to Maintain Your Vehicle’s Airbags and Spot the Signs of Failure
The winter cold has given way to springtime travel. And whether you’re hitting the road just simply run errands in Cottage Grove, or you’re hitting the road to attend the Parkinson’s Half Marathon, it’s important that your vehicle airbags are in good working order… just in case. Because, airbags are one of your vehicle’s most critical safety features. Yet many drivers overlook how to keep them in good working condition. And although airbags don’t require regular maintenance like brakes or oil changes, there are still a few important steps to ensure they’ll deploy properly in a crash.
So, in this post the experts at Meineke in Cottage Grove offer suggestions on the best ways to keep your airbags maintained and how to tell if they might be at risk of failing.
So, How Can You Maintain Your Airbags?
While airbags are designed to be low-maintenance, there are still a few proactive steps you can take to keep them working safely:
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Follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule – Many newer vehicles have airbag systems tied to the onboard diagnostics. Therefore, a mechanic can detect potential issues during a scheduled maintenance inspection.
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Have the airbag system checked after a collision – Even if the airbags didn’t deploy, the sensors and control module may be damaged and need repair or replacement.
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Never ignore the airbag warning light – If this light comes on or flashes while you’re driving, it means something is wrong with the system, and it could fail in a crash.
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Avoid DIY electrical work – Airbags rely on sensitive wiring and sensors. And tampering with electrical systems can disrupt the airbag’s ability to deploy properly.
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Replace airbags after deployment – Once airbags deploy in a crash, they cannot be reused. And they must be professionally replaced to restore proper protection.
How to Tell if Your Airbags Might Fail
Even with regular care, issues can still develop. So, here’s what to watch out for:
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Unexpected airbag light – If your airbag or “SRS” warning light turns on or blinks, there may be a fault in the system.
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Electrical problems or dashboard malfunctions – These may be linked to a faulty control module or sensor. And this can affect airbag performance.
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Odd noises from the steering wheel or dash – Clicking or buzzing could be a sign of wiring issues tied to the airbag system.
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History of water damage – Flooded vehicles can suffer corrosion to internal airbag components, increasing the risk of failure.
Make Sure Your Vehicle’s Airbag is Ready When You Need It
If your airbag light is on or you’ve had recent collision repairs, don’t take chances. Because, airbags save lives—but only when they work correctly. Meineke on West Cottage Grove Road in Cottage Grove have experienced technicians who can inspect your airbag system and keep your vehicle’s safety systems working the way they should. So, call Meineke in Cottage Grove today for a quick diagnostic check-up.
If the Meineke in Cottage Grove is not a convenient location, also check out these other locally-owned Meineke locations:
MEINEKE SHEBOYGAN #2989
3667 South Taylor Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Call (920) 783-6013
MEINEKE MADISON #355
4008 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53714
Call (844) 374-1281
MEINEKE MADISON #1649
437 Commerce Drive
Madison, WI 53719
Call (833) 814-2314
MEINEKE SUN PRAIRIE #2057
2518 Ironwood Drive
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Call (844) 687-9785
MEINEKE APPLETON #2136
1708 West Wisconsin Avenue
Appleton, WI 54914
Call (866) 532-0443
MEINEKE COTTAGE GROVE #2474
222 West Cottage Grove Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Call (844) 453-2300
Meineke Car Care in Cottage Grove, WI
