Get ready for the long di... I mean "reach"... of the law?

I'd heard that in some states replacing a factory airbag-equipped steering wheel with one that does not have an airbag is illegal.

After some googling I found this: https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle...ect-27317.html

If I'm reading that correctly, using a "racing" style steering wheel is a MISDEMEANOR in CA and could put you in the county slam for up to a year.

Is that ******* right? Did I ******* read that correctly??

Anybody here have any stories related to this...?

Edit: Clearly I’m talking about street use.

 

Well you DO live in California, but to be fair, a prohibition on tampering with restraint systems isn’t limited only to your state.
As I read that statute its primary target is to prevent shops and car dealers from disabling the systems, either at the request of owners, or to avoid the repair costs on systems they already know to be malfunctioning before selling on the car to some poor unsuspecting schlub.

I can tell you with some confidence that it’s not a high enforcement priority for Law Enforcement. And in any event, they must be able to show WHO did the modification (nudge nudge, wink wink). So it’s a tough statute to cite if you don’t know who did it.

 

I'd be more worry about getting into a collision and not having an airbag .... or getting into a collision and insurance deny payment because you misrepresented your car by removing safely equipment.

 

Totally agree. And something I personally try to mention when guys talk about body kits and intercooler kits that compromise crash-worthiness and violate such statutes.

 

Racing wheels on street cars...

 

I want to remove the cruise control box to make room for other things, and I’m too OCD to have a steering wheel with a bunch of useless controls on it. That and the city bus style factory wheel isn’t exactly complimentary. The 99-spec or whatever that dosn’t have the mismatched Mazda emblem are nice, but hard to find in truly good condition.

But to each his own, right? Or not. 🙄

 

Not.
——> https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...heels-1129587/

Great seller. I have one of his wheels myself. Came SRS ready and looks awesome.

 

Yeah, I’ve seen that thread. Unfortunately it seems the nicer ones are gone, at least at the moment.

And don’t get my wrong, I definitely have and continue to consider it, so thanks for the constructive input.

Regardless, I prefer a Nardi Gara.

 

It’s your car. But back to your original question...I don’t think Johnny Law or Patty Police is a worry.

 

Appreciate the input. I was hoping you were going to chime in.

 

Just an aside, it's not just nardi that fits. Mazda uses the same spline pattern on most cars, some of them are using a hex fitting like the Mazda 3, but like, I have a Mazda 6 steering wheel on my car, NA/NB Miata wheel fits and I think the airbag is plug and play.

Way cheaper than spending $500 on a limited JDM steering wheel :p

 

I removed all the airbag stuff from my car - both airbag modules (I have a 94 with passenger airbag), all the wiring, the brain, etc.

For me personally I'm not putting much if any faith in ancient Gen1 airbag technology. Also I don't put much faith in 30 year old electronics that may or may not work when they are called upon to work.

But, that's a personal decision, take that information and make your own choice. No one is right or wrong for removing or keeping an airbag, it's their decision, hopefully they have enough information to make a smart decision.

I can use all the leg room I can get, so I have a D-shaped Momo wheel with a spacer. Give me WAY more room than the stock wheel. Also looks and feels nicer .

Dale

 

Agree with you here, when I crashed my 96 celica the passenger airbag didn’t deploy, and believe me; from that wreck it should have.

plus if I crash my FD here in the mountains it is almost a 100% chance it’s with a pickup or a semi or an elk or moose, so I’m screwed with or without an airbag in that impact.

 

Im curious what your intercoolers and bodykits are made from if they have any impact on the deformation zones of the car

 

It’s not a question of what they’re made from.
Body kits that don’t use stock reinforcements and/or involve removing them and/or crash g-sensors.
Any front mount or V-mount intercoolers that require cutting or removal of those reinforcements for the cores, brackets and plumbing.
It’s their car and choice. I just mention it so it’s considered and an informed one.

 

Ahh Then i get it Cutting and removing OEM parts are just outside my imagination on these cars xD

 

Probably if you have a '93, Maybe not if you have a '94 and a passenger, unless you have the passenger sign a waiver. If not, think you're liable for any outcomes sans airbag

And if it's just you, you're signing up for any medical bills you may have (the value of the car is meaningless in comparison)

But yeah, each to their own

 

I'm from the bay area as well.

To be honest, I've never heard of cops caring about a steering wheel. As far as modded cars, cops/chp usually just care about smog equipment, how low your car is, and how loud it is.

It's possible you could get in trouble, yes. But I find it unlikely.

 

There's the legal ramifications, then there's the liability ramifications. Think the later is more concerning

 

Lots of people do it. It's not a big deal...until it is.

Airbags save lives, even old ones.
Liability should be a real concern.
Police probably don't really care, until they decide you're being a menace who needs a lesson taught.
It's one more excuse for them to hit you with a fine or crush your car or throw the book at you.

Now maybe you're a model citizen and it will never matter. But, you're accepting some complicated and relevant risks to put a race wheel on a street car.

 

I do kind of get a guilty feeling when thinking about removing the air bag. I have this image in my head of being half conscious after an accident thinking, “should have kept the air bag.”

I can’t argue, even to myself, that removing it is a smart idea.

But driving a fast, 25 year old tin can isn’t really a smart idea in the first place, if you wanna be serious about it.

I remember reading a thread on advrider years ago discussing people riding motorcycles in Hawaii without helmets (it’s legal there). Somebody pointed out that, “your head is your best safety equipment.”

 

My JDM FD did not have any air bags standard

Just use this as an excuse to go halo seat, harnesses, cage, HANS, and wear your helmet every time you drive

 

I feel less safe in an FD with Gen 1 airbags then I did in an FC with No airbags. And I've been hit pretty good by a drunk driver in an FC - I still would've chosen no airbags over what comes in the FD. Would have had additional unnecessary injuries. If you're worried about safety they make really safe cars with double digit counts of airbags. With an FD you're talking about risk acceptance, not avoidance, or go with what AE_Racer posted above, install track safety equipment and use it every where you go in the FD.

I'll never understand why a state would need to meddle in someones choice to accept a risk for their own pleasure when the consequences of that choice can only be applied to the individual themselves. Why even let people register cars that don't have airbags then? Money? Yeah probably a revenue generating piece of common sense legislation. The only other interested party is the insurance company, but I feel like even then, if they'll insure your FC with no airbags at a slightly higher bodily injury premium what's the BFD? Try an insurance company that will write a policy at agreed values for collector/modified vehicles and have it stated in the policy that you've removed the airbag from the car. They may even inspect it and document it for you. Problem solved. I still use progressive, but I understand many people with Hagerty do this.

 

Have you ever heard of "California"?

 

when Newsom was mayor of SF he used to go through everyones garbage to make sure it was done correctly, garbage, recycle, compost. if it was too wrong, you would get a ticket.