Pets and Passenger Air Bags

[thom4782]

We have a 40lb dog that rides occassionally in the 2001 Boxster S's passenger seat. The dog wears a seat belt. We'd like to have the passenger bag off when the dog is in the seat and on when a person is in the seat. Is this possible?

I understand the dealer can deactivate the passenger air bag only if the system tester turns it off AND a bar is installed under the seat that has a buckle hooked into it.

I have a couple of questions. First, if the buckle isn't inserted into the bar system, will the so-called "deactivated" air bag work if a passenger is in the seat? Second, what do you think the risk is to our pet if it is wearing a seat harness? I know reward facing child seats are a big problem, but is a belted in pet at serious risk?

Thanks for any advice and opinons you can offer.

[2003S]

You must have the buckle clipped into the deactivation bar to disable the airbag. I've done the research for front facing kids, and the verdict is mixed on the need to disable for front facing children. There are actually very few cases of kids being belted in where they were injured by an airbag. However, I have no idea how that information applies to mid sided dogs.