I'm interested in getting some front seat covers for my '10 FX4. Since I believe the side airbag is in the seats, will "regular" (not ones specifically designed for airbags) seat covers prevent the airbags from deploying if used?

Thanks!

 

Yes, a non-custom seat cover will prevent the airbags from working. I work at Seat Covers Unlimited, and we had a fun little demo day where we got together about 15 seats to test and see if the airbags would deploy. We used seats from various models, and were using different fabrics for each seat. The covers were all custom made for each individual seat which had our hidden velcro siding to accommodate the airbags. Every custom cover we tested, allowed the airbags to deploy.

Then, we made up a set without the side airbag accommodation to see if it would restrict the airbag, or if the force would be so strong that it would burst through the stitching of the seat cover. Sure enough, the seat covers did keep it from deploying correctly. The airbag deployed but just within the seat cover. It pretty much rendered the side airbags useless. I've got the video and will upload it to our site one of these days.

 

The seats have a special zipper which pops open for the airbag to deploy. Perhaps you could buy those and install them.I think they are called "coil zippers" ,they are a continuous coil instead of individual teeth .

 

Would the seat cover slow the air bag down? When in a accident the faster the air bag can get out the quicker it can catch you with out your head hitting the "B" pilliar.

 

That's what I've wondered with the custom covers as well -- if the bag is slowed down even a little bit I suspect it will throw the timing of the entire restraint system off and likely defeat at least some of the benefit of the side impact bags.

 

I didn't notice the covers slowing the airbags down at all. There was so much force, it would be really hard to tell unless you deployed 2 at a time (one with a cover and one without). Check out the link below, this takes you to our FAQ page and the first video at the top is one of the seats we did (excuse the cheesy video). I think this particular seat was out of an older Honda or Volvo Model. You can see we had to strap the bottoms of the seats down cause there was so much force with some of the airbags we deployed. I think side airbags have come a long way from newer vehicles compared to the one in the video. The airbag in the video seems a little small IMO.

Again, I need to dig up our video where we put a regular cover on to show how it hindered the airbags use. It was funny cause we had about 15 or more employees just having a good ole time watching all the airbags deploy, then we did the cover without airbag alterations and we all knew what to look for and as soon as the airbag deployed, and was completely held within the seat cover, you hear like 10 people in unison say, "oooooohhhhh", in a concerned tone. It was pretty funny.

 

Shoot, forgot the link:

http://www.seatcoversunlimited.com/F...ons-sp-38.html

 

I believe Wet Okole makes seat covers for seats with airbags. I know it's one of the questions they ask.

- NCSU

 

So one could probably just alter the seat covers and include velcro on the side that would allow the airbag to deploy, correct?

 

Yeah, that should work. Just as long as it's not some crazy industrial strength velcro. I think our pattern guys will take in effect the actual placement of where the airbag deploys (as it changes slightly between models). I know on my 2011 F-150 they have the velcro on the side of the seat covers, but moved a little closer to the front of the seats. Not sure if our guys did that because the airbags come out in that area, or if it is to help conceal the velcro by moving it closer to the seam. Hope this helps, good luck!