I have a 10 month old baby and a 2 week old Z. Didn't think about putting a baby seat in the Z, as I was planning to make that my "Weekend Car" and my Civic was going to be my everyday commuting car.

Well, my "weekend car" is sort of becoming my regular car...Damn Z's, why must you be so fun to drive??!!!.

Anyways, is there a way to shut off the airbags without doing the expensive $500-$700 kill switch.

Who here transports their kids in a Z? There must be a way as why would Nissan put a child's seat restraint in the back if they didn't plan to have you able to transport kids/babies...

 

duct tape him to the strut brace.....

 

You'd rather drive your Z than have your 10 month old child be safe as possible... ?

Unbelievable.

Even if you install the kill switch (god forbid you spend $500 to save your child) he is still in the front seat and that is not very safe.

My advice: drive the civic when you have the child, drive the z on your time

 

No I don't drive my kid in the Z, that's why I'm asking about an alternative to the kill switch. I haven't found much about the kill switch on this forum and my dealer knows nothing about them. Hence I'm asking is there another way to drive the kid in the car without disabling the passenger airbags.

There must be as why would Nissan NOT make the kill switch available, yet put in a child restraint anchor point in the back. Doesn't make sense.

Also, have you driven a Civic, that car's like a soda can with wheels. I'd think the Z would be a better car to be in during an accident. My kid is driven in her mom's station wagon 95% of the time, but I'm worried about when I have my Z and the mom can't pick up the kid, how would I transport my kid?

Get my question now???

 

I agree with both of you guys 100% BUT nissan did Desigin a child restrant in the back? Why wouldnt it be right to use it unless of the obvious state laws of certain states?

 

I stand by my initial statement.

There is no restraint in the rear. There is not enough room (width wise) in front of the strut bar for a child seat. There isn't enough room behind the strut bar (height wise) for a child seat.

The Z is a sports car. Infants do not belong in a 2-seat sports car; hence why there is no rear restraint and why a kill switch costs a ton.

I think its great your child rides in the wagon 95% of the time. The other 5% of the time you should have no problem driving the civic.

And as far as the Civic being a soda can; I've owned one and per my research the crast test ratings are desirable. Having the child in the rear is the safest...

 

Edmunds thinks differently than "soda can". Just to support my claims. FYI the 98-2001 Civics don't rank any differently...

 

^^ Jesus you're pretty adamante about this.

50 freak do what ever you please. Drive the Z even if it's not 100% safe. You can always make a new kid. Driving the Z is fun....and so is making babies.

 

That's nice, too bad I don't have a 2001-2002 Civic. More like a 95 Civic. And I don't think those were very sturdy. At least mine isn't.

And although I respect your opinion about having kids in sports cars, I disagree with it. When it comes down to it, a car is a car. It is a means of transportation. We're not talking about a $500K Bugati here, but more like a $30K 350Z.

And I do want to take my kid safely around in it. Anyways, you have made you opinion heard. Thank you. I'd like to hear from others now.

 

i have a 6yr old and have transported her w/ a child seat(anchored). i think i need to help clear up some things for some of you... this guy is NOT saying he is going to put a car seat in the rear hatch area where the strut brace is... come on use ur head buddy... of course there is no room! he's saying that there is a restraint anchor there... and if you go back there and look.. you will clearly see it. its there buddy... the anchor is there to secure a child seat in the front passenger seat in an acceptable/legal manner or else it wouldnt be there. it would open nissan up to lawsuits etc if they create an anchor and it doesnt work effectively... meaning it would be safer for them legally.. to not have it there at all and condone the act altogether if contrary. The AIRBAG is the issue here... (in fact you'll see the warning on your visor) w/ the seat pushed all the way back and secured using the anchor it is fine... but the airbag must be disabled. Pay for the switch period. Most p/u trucks have these devices already built in and you turn on/off w/ the ignition key. Some even advanced to where the airbag doesnt go off unless there is certain amount of weight in the seat confirming a passenger. The back is safer considering a front on collision, we can all agree on this. Side/rear impact same... also, some cars period are safer than others. There are small econo cars that are ridiculous in regards to crash protection. Im sure the Z rates pretty decent as well as the civic.

 

2001 to 2002 are one of the worst civics are made period.. i know i had one , paid it off and gave it away!

 

Well it looks like there are no other options other than a kill switch. Not a big deal as the price isn't that much. I just don't like mechanics/dealers screwing around with my dash especially since the car is brand new and working perfectly.

Gotta call my dealer to see if they can install it. Last time I called, the person I spoke to said it was impossible and they've never installed one.

Anyone in the Bay Area (N. Cal) know of a dealer or mechanic that can do the airbag kill switch?

 

hey 50 freak i believe there is a sensor under your passenger seat for the airbag deployment unless im very wrong. i have a 1.5 year old and i own an xterra and a titan, and my dad owns an armada. i have taken out my passenger seat from the z and there is a sensor there. i believe you cant put your kid in a rear facing position in the front seat of any car. wait until your baby is BOTH 1 year old and 20 pounds than you can have a front facing seat. safety first.

 

I don't have the time to search through all the documentation, but if you actually search the NHSTA records, particularly the ones that support the side airbag theories, the actual risk to a child (not infant) PROPERLY RESTRAINED with a seatbelt from a front/side airbag deployment are truly minimal. From 1996 to 2003, 22 children have been killed by airbags (source NTSB.com) and of those, most of the children injured by front airbags were COMPLETELY UNRESTRAINED in the car. So you choose....will your child be properly restrained (wearing a seatbelt) or not.

Nissan says "don't put children in the front of the car" because the NHSTA and NTSB says "don't put children in the front of the car", when they should really be saying is "ensure your children are properly restrained, wherever they are". I would not put an infant in a child seat (forward or rear facing) in the Z. The criteria are head/thorax injuries and chest cavity compression.

Again, I leave to you to do the proper research and determine if your 350Z is safe for your child when combined with your parenting skills.

Mine is.

(flame away)