Truth about airbags

That’s right and you better believe it, not all airbags open during accidents. And ironically these are the airbags that are found in those more technically advanced vehicles that have multi-airbag systems with state-of-the-art technology.

But don’t be alarmed. The reason why not all airbags open in these up scale cars is because of what most of them are–more technically advanced.

I got myself focused into this when I looked into the query of one of our readers who got into a major accident that caused his car to flip. He was wondering why despite the claim of the manufacturer of his expensive, high performance car of having multi airbags (driver and passenger/front and side) not all its airbags opened during the accident.

I decided to forward his query to one of the more technically advanced car manufacturers represented here in the Philippines for enlightenment. Mr. Gabor A. Csurgai, Service Director of BMW Group Philippines graciously replied to our inquiry.

"All BMW automobiles are equipped with an intelligent Safety System. This system reacts individually to any accident, in order to ensure the passengers’ utmost safety in any given circumstance.

The system is controlled by a highly developed computer that detects (to name a few) which seats are occupied and if the safety belt is buckled or not. In the event of a collision, the system (in milliseconds) evaluates all relevant factors like the speed of the car, the lateral and longitudinal deceleration of the car and the like and decides which sections of the Airbag System are necessary and subsequently deployed.

A false or unnecessary triggering of an airbag component could cause even more harm or injury to a passenger. Needless to say, the unnecessary deployment of an airbag component would entail additional, unnecessary expenses."

I hope that vital piece if information would help our car owners in understanding better how the airbag system functions especially in highly advanced motor vehicles.

There’s one thing I’d like to emphasize, though, regarding airbags and that’s the fact that in some instances they can actually go against their purpose of keeping drivers and front passengers safe. This is especially true when they open while the driver or the front passenger is not wearing seatbelts. This fact should encourage everybody to always buckle up considering that airbags are now getting to be standard safety equipment in most present-day cars running on our roads.

For Land Rover enthusiasts

If you are a Land Rover enthusiast this little bit of info passed on to us by reader Robby Consunji would be of much interest to you.

There is a Land Rover Club of the Philippines (LRCP). It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment of Land Rover vehicles. Membership in the LRCP is open to all Land Rover owners and enthusiasts. LRCP roster of members include owners of the Series Vehicles (I, II, IIa and III), 90, 110, Defender, Range Rover, Discovery and Freelander.

For more information you can visit any of the ff. websites: http://www.landroverclub.ph or http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML.//clubs_world.htm or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LRCP.

Tricycle rationalization or politics

Our reader Liza Buenafe asks, "Who regulates the operations of pedicabs and tricycles along Bohol Ave., area? Pedicabs here charge outrageous rates. My cousin rode a pedicab from the Channel 7 compound to the Tomas Morato- Timog Ave., Rotunda, a distance of les than 2 kms. and he was being charged P60. When he tried to protest other pedicab drivers appeared brandishing pipes and tried to gang up on him."

Just recently it was reported that MMDA Chairman Ben Abalos was scheduling a grand meeting with tricycle and pedicab drivers and operators to put some sanity into its anarchic operations in the metropolis.

But judging by the photos that came out in the papers showing no less than the President of the Land riding in one those tricycles in an "endorsing mood", some political observers were quick to say that the rationalization attempt may have developed into a political agenda.

Indeed there must be something that should be done about all these pedicabs and tricycles. Their random presence in many parts of the metropolis is more often than not devoid of neither rhyme nor reason. And what about their presence in the highways, most of the time hugging the center lane? I have always maintained that allowing tricycles to run in the highways have been causing great delays in the country’s land transportation. I’m sure our economists would agree with me if I say that delay in land transportation or in any form in transporting goods and people from one place to another greatly affects our economy.

Formula One Update

Jarno Trulli almost lost the 4th place finish he rightfully gained in the Monaco Grand Prix when the FIA found out that a seal was missing from his black box. Good thing an investigation revealed that everything was in order, so Trulli was able to retain the 3 championship points he won in Monte Carlo — his first points of the season.

Almost the exact same thing happened to Mika Hakkinen of McLaren 2 years ago when he won the 2000 Austrian Grand Prix. A seal was found to be missing from Mika’s car computer, but since extensive testing showed that nothing was tampered with; he got to keep the 10 points he won. The FIA however decided to take away 10 points from the team for making the mistake.

F1 fashionista fans can interject their good taste in clothing with their F1 know-how because Jacques Villeneuve has launched his very own clothing line. This is certainly something to look forward to, especially since a lot of us Pinoys have to make do with the F1 apparel knock-offs found in bazaars and tiangges.

Michellin was ecstatic over David Coulthard’s win in Monaco. It was only Michellin’s 2nd win of the year, since Michael Schumacher’s Brudgestone-backed Ferrari has pretty much been dominating the entire season. McLaren team boss Ron Dennis said that he’s expecting DC to win at least 3 more of the remaining races. Unfortunately for McLaren fans, they seem to have given up on the championship. Dennis said that though they are being realistic, his boys still plan on going all out in the races to come.

*****

This Sunday on Motoring Today (11:30 am, Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network) we shall give you the highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix. A sure treat to all those who missed the live coverage on cable TV.

For those maintenance-conscious viewers the Caltex TV Mekaniko shall center on the exhaust pipes and mufflers while Pocholo Ramirez, the country’s "living legend" of motor sports has this week’s driving tip focusing on the proper and safe way to park.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: (e-mail) [email protected] (postal mail) Motoring Today Column c/o Sunshine Television Ventures, #68 Dona Juana Rodriguez Ave., New Manila Q.C. MOTORING TODAY by Butch Gamboa That’s right and you better believe it, not all airbags open during accidents. And ironically these are the airbags that are found in those more technically advanced vehicles that have multi-airbag systems with state-of-the-art technology.

But don’t be alarmed. The reason why not all airbags open in these up scale cars is because of what most of them are–more technically advanced.

I got myself focused into this when I looked into the query of one of our readers who got into a major accident that caused his car to flip. He was wondering why despite the claim of the manufacturer of his expensive, high performance car of having multi airbags (driver and passenger/front and side) not all its airbags opened during the accident.

I decided to forward his query to one of the more technically advanced car manufacturers represented here in the Philippines for enlightenment. Mr. Gabor A. Csurgai, Service Director of BMW Group Philippines graciously replied to our inquiry.

"All BMW automobiles are equipped with an intelligent Safety System. This system reacts individually to any accident, in order to ensure the passengers’ utmost safety in any given circumstance.

The system is controlled by a highly developed computer that detects (to name a few) which seats are occupied and if the safety belt is buckled or not. In the event of a collision, the system (in milliseconds) evaluates all relevant factors like the speed of the car, the lateral and longitudinal deceleration of the car and the like and decides which sections of the Airbag System are necessary and subsequently deployed.

A false or unnecessary triggering of an airbag component could cause even more harm or injury to a passenger. Needless to say, the unnecessary deployment of an airbag component would entail additional, unnecessary expenses."

I hope that vital piece if information would help our car owners in understanding better how the airbag system functions especially in highly advanced motor vehicles.

There’s one thing I’d like to emphasize, though, regarding airbags and that’s the fact that in some instances they can actually go against their purpose of keeping drivers and front passengers safe. This is especially true when they open while the driver or the front passenger is not wearing seatbelts. This fact should encourage everybody to always buckle up considering that airbags are now getting to be standard safety equipment in most present-day cars running on our roads.

For Land Rover enthusiasts

If you are a Land Rover enthusiast this little bit of info passed on to us by reader Robby Consunji would be of much interest to you.

There is a Land Rover Club of the Philippines (LRCP). It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment of Land Rover vehicles. Membership in the LRCP is open to all Land Rover owners and enthusiasts. LRCP roster of members include owners of the Series Vehicles (I, II, IIa and III), 90, 110, Defender, Range Rover, Discovery and Freelander.

For more information you can visit any of the ff. websites: http://www.landroverclub.ph or http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML.//clubs_world.htm or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LRCP.

Tricycle rationalization or politics

Our reader Liza Buenafe asks, "Who regulates the operations of pedicabs and tricycles along Bohol Ave., area? Pedicabs here charge outrageous rates. My cousin rode a pedicab from the Channel 7 compound to the Tomas Morato- Timog Ave., Rotunda, a distance of les than 2 kms. and he was being charged P60. When he tried to protest other pedicab drivers appeared brandishing pipes and tried to gang up on him."

Just recently it was reported that MMDA Chairman Ben Abalos was scheduling a grand meeting with tricycle and pedicab drivers and operators to put some sanity into its anarchic operations in the metropolis.

But judging by the photos that came out in the papers showing no less than the President of the Land riding in one those tricycles in an "endorsing mood", some political observers were quick to say that the rationalization attempt may have developed into a political agenda.

Indeed there must be something that should be done about all these pedicabs and tricycles. Their random presence in many parts of the metropolis is more often than not devoid of neither rhyme nor reason. And what about their presence in the highways, most of the time hugging the center lane? I have always maintained that allowing tricycles to run in the highways have been causing great delays in the country’s land transportation. I’m sure our economists would agree with me if I say that delay in land transportation or in any form in transporting goods and people from one place to another greatly affects our economy.

Formula One Update

Jarno Trulli almost lost the 4th place finish he rightfully gained in the Monaco Grand Prix when the FIA found out that a seal was missing from his black box. Good thing an investigation revealed that everything was in order, so Trulli was able to retain the 3 championship points he won in Monte Carlo — his first points of the season.

Almost the exact same thing happened to Mika Hakkinen of McLaren 2 years ago when he won the 2000 Austrian Grand Prix. A seal was found to be missing from Mika’s car computer, but since extensive testing showed that nothing was tampered with; he got to keep the 10 points he won. The FIA however decided to take away 10 points from the team for making the mistake.

F1 fashionista fans can interject their good taste in clothing with their F1 know-how because Jacques Villeneuve has launched his very own clothing line. This is certainly something to look forward to, especially since a lot of us Pinoys have to make do with the F1 apparel knock-offs found in bazaars and tiangges.

Michellin was ecstatic over David Coulthard’s win in Monaco. It was only Michellin’s 2nd win of the year, since Michael Schumacher’s Brudgestone-backed Ferrari has pretty much been dominating the entire season. McLaren team boss Ron Dennis said that he’s expecting DC to win at least 3 more of the remaining races. Unfortunately for McLaren fans, they seem to have given up on the championship. Dennis said that though they are being realistic, his boys still plan on going all out in the races to come.

*****

This Sunday on Motoring Today (11:30 am, Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network) we shall give you the highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix. A sure treat to all those who missed the live coverage on cable TV.

For those maintenance-conscious viewers the Caltex TV Mekaniko shall center on the exhaust pipes and mufflers while Pocholo Ramirez, the country’s "living legend" of motor sports has this week’s driving tip focusing on the proper and safe way to park.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: (e-mail) [email protected] (postal mail) Motoring Today Column c/o Sunshine Television Ventures, #68 Dona Juana Rodriguez Ave., New Manila Q.C.