• Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Home & Garden
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Video
  • Shows
  • Blogs
  • Quizzes
  • Games
  • Random Article
  • Auto Basics
  • Auto Parts & Systems
  • Auto Racing
  • Buying & Selling
  • Car Models
  • Driving & Safety
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Motorcycles
  • Trucks
  • Under the Hood
  • Home > 
  • Auto > 
  • Driving & Safety > 
  • Safety & Regulatory Devices

by Marshall Brain

Print
Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Brain, Marshall.  "How Airbags Work"  01 April 2000.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/airbag.htm>  11 February 2012.
Cite
Feedback

Be Your Own Mechanic

Car Maintenance Videos
Car Maintenance Videos
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Airbags Work
  2. Airbag Inflation
  3. Airbag Safety Concerns
  1. Airbag Deactivation
  2. The Future of Airbags
  3. Lots More Information
  4. See more »
    1. See all Safety & Regulatory Devices articles

Lots More Information

Related Articles

  • How Crash Testing Works
  • How NASCAR Safety Works
  • How Seatbelts Work
  • How the 'Jaws of Life' Work
  • How Tires Work
  • How Brakes Work
  • How Anti-Lock Brakes Work
  • How does safety glass work?
  • Car Seats: Fast Facts

More Great Links

  • Discovery Channel: "MythBusters"
  • Airbags: How They Work
  • Airbags and Kids
  • Disarming an Airbag
  • Inflators
  • Airbags: Construction and Design
VIDEO: Check out these car safety videos and see how to properly maintain your vehicle.
Previous Page

More Great Links

Top 10 Green Driving Tips
Top 10 Green Driving Tips
5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
Watch American Chopper videos >>

You Might Also Like

Why would someone want to steal my airbag?

They are crucial to personal safety and very expensive to replace. Should it be a surprise that airbags have replaced car stereos as the most popular target for auto thieves?

How Odometers Work

Mechanical odometers have been counting the miles for centuries. Although they are a dying breed, they are incredibly cool inside. Learn how this simple device tracks distance and find out about digital odometers.

Popular Articles

  • How Seatbelts Work
  • Car Seats: Fast Facts
  • How Drive-by-wire Technology Works
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Airbags Work
  2. Airbag Inflation
  3. Airbag Safety Concerns
  4. Airbag Deactivation
  1. The Future of Airbags
  2. Lots More Information
  3. See all Safety & Regulatory Devices articles
Previous Page

Top Videos

FPO
  • Car Maintenance Videos
  • Destroyed In Seconds Videos
  • Wrecks to Riches Videos
  • Muscle Car Videos

HowStuffWorks Games

FPO
  • Word Bubbles
  • Bike Build Game
  • Lost in Migration
  • Cannon Challenge
  • Speed Match

Related Content

Prices: Auto Consumer Reports

  • Consumer Reports New Car Buying Guide 2003-04
    Consumer Reports New Car Buying Guide 2003-04

    The Facts You Need Before You ChooseGet the right vehicle at the best price with this up-to-date guide to buying and leasing. Find out which vehicles are rated highest and are the most reliable. Read expert reviews on all major 2003 and early-2004 models.* Top picks in 8 categories* Which cars are safer?* 5 steps for getting a great deal* The best time to buy* Internet guide to auto information* Best and worst in owner satisfaction* Crash-test results and safety featuresThe 2003-2004 edition of the New Car Buying Guide is thoroughly revised and updated, with the latest information from the automotive experts at Consumer Reports.216 cars, wagons, SUVs, minivans & trucks

    $49.90

  • Dare To Repair Your Car: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Maintenance, Safety, Minor Fix-Its, and Talking Shop
    Dare To Repair Your Car: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Maintenance, Safety, Minor Fix-Its, and Talking Shop

    We're back! And this time we've got your back when it comes to you and your car. In Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home, we opened the door for you into the world of basic home repairs. Now, we're opening a different one -- a car door. Dare to Repair Your Car is a basic car care and safety book written by women for women ... and men, and new teen drivers, and senior drivers. Okay, it's for every person who dares to drive a car. Here are just some of the things that will keep you and your family safe: Changing a flat tire Maintaining fluids Jumpstarting a battery Replacing a headlamp Finding a great mechanic Installing a car seat Driving tips for teens and seniors Preparing for a road trip Filled with detailed illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, Dare to Repair Your Car will help you shift gears and get you moving in the direction of maintaining your car -- yourself. You'll be so excited about what you've learned you'll want to toot your own horn!

    $11.21

  • Dare To Repair Your Car: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Maintenance, Safety, Minor Fix-Its, and Talking Shop
    Dare To Repair Your Car: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Maintenance, Safety, Minor Fix-Its, and Talking Shop

    We're back! And this time we've got your back when it comes to you and your car. In Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home, we opened the door for you into the world of basic home repairs. Now, we're opening a different one -- a car door. Dare to Repair Your Car is a basic car care and safety book written by women for women ... and men, and new teen drivers, and senior drivers. Okay, it's for every person who dares to drive a car. Here are just some of the things that will keep you and your family safe: Changing a flat tire Maintaining fluids Jumpstarting a battery Replacing a headlamp Finding a great mechanic Installing a car seat Driving tips for teens and seniors Preparing for a road trip Filled with detailed illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, Dare to Repair Your Car will help you shift gears and get you moving in the direction of maintaining your car -- yourself. You'll be so excited about what you've learned you'll want to toot your own horn!

    $7.13

HOWSTUFFWORKS
  • Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
MORE STUFF
  • Blogs
  • Games
  • HSW Tools
  • RSS
  • Maps
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Newsletters
  • Video
OUR WEBSITES
  • Animal Planet
  • Consumer Guide Auto
  • Consumer Guide Products
  • Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Fit & Health
  • HSW Brazil
  • HSW China HowStuffWorks China
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Planet Green
  • Science Channel
  • TLC
  • Discovery Education
  • Store
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Help
CORPORATE
  • About Us
  • Careers @ Discovery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visitor Agreement
TAKE US WITH YOU
FOLLOW US
© 1998-2012 HowStuffWorks, Inc