Disable Passenger Airbag

[SLWRTHNU]

I have a 2011 A4 Avant and can't find how to disable the passenger airbag. I couldn't find it in the menu and don't have a key hole in the glovebox. Does anyone know how to do this?

[Smac770]

I imagine there's not. The key is for manually managed systems, not those with the passenger detection plate in the seat. From the owner's manual, "if you install a rearward facing child seat in the front seat and the air bag off light does not come on, put the child seat in the rear seat and go support see your dealership". I like one of the other statements, "make sure the air bag off light comes on -and stays on all the time- when the ignition is switched on". I wonder if all A5s have the key switch, as getting a child seat in the rear of that thing is a good luck.

[SLWRTHNU]

Aaahh neat. So if I understand this correctly (this is pre-coffee so don't expect much), if there is someone in the front passenger seat, and the airbag light comes illuminates, that means the airbag won't deploy. But if they sit there and no light comes on, the airbag will deploy?

[Smac770]

Right, if there's enough weight in the seat, the airbag control module decides "human of sufficient size present, enable airbag". What exactly is that weight. Testing, it seems to be 45 lbs or more to change from disabled to enabled, and 35 lbs or less to change from enabled to disabled.

The airbag control module also evaluates the distance of the seat forward/backwards as well as the seat belt tension (via sensor in seat belt). So maybe you have 50 lbs in the seat but no seat belt tension, it might decide "yeah, no". It is expecting the seat to be full rearward if a child seat is in it.

[SLWRTHNU]

Smart! Thank you for the info! I'm asking for my 10-year-old. She's old/tall/heavy enough to not need a booster and can legally ride in the front as long as the airbag is disabled. Looks like I'm good to go. Thanks again.

[Smac770]

My nephew was 100 lbs when he was 10. Just to be clear, 45 lbs (pounds), so 20 kg. Not sure which unit you all use up there.