The Airbag deploys via ignition of a substance - typically Sodium Azide. (See http://www.howstuffworks.com/airbag1.htm for a full article). The ignitor and Sodium Azide MAY degrade with time, and the Accelerometer/sensor MAY become unreliable with time. Life span of airbags is a valid engineering concern, but is also probably driven by legal liability issues. I understand a replacement bag is about $1000! Mine expires next year - I am still debating my options.

[Edited by JCE on 05-04-2001 at 05:47 PM]

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

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