I have a 2007 Prius, I put a retractable sunshade on the windshield, and it is great. However, seconds thoughts about its placement and the curtain airbags. Where does it deploy from, top header or the sides? Should I be concerned, after the fact now that they are on, about the shade location?
Dirtnapper I have looked at those retractable shades before but was worried about it interferring with my view on the side. Does it bother you much or is it not much in the way? Thanks Fernsmom
The airbags deploy from the roof of the vehicle, not from the A-pillar. They drop straight down, not laterally outward.
That is funny, because I have had the covers off my A-pillars in my 2007 to run extra cable up to the rear view mirror for Scan Guage mounting and Garmin Power supply, and there are airbags under them. I was sure to run my wiring behind the airbags rather that over them. They should deploy from the rearward edge of the A-pillar to cover the side windows, so I wouldn't think a ligh weight shade attached on the front side would be a problem, but seems like the manual should address this in some way.
They have brackets that mount on the winshield, slip the shade into the brackets: Eclipse Sunshade, Car Sun Shade, Auto Windshield Sun Shades, Retractable Sunshade, Self Storing Car Window Sun Shade. Free Shipping & Low Prices on all Eclipse Car & Auto Window Sun Shades
And the answer is from Toyota: "We apologize; we do not recommend or assist with modifying our vehicles from their original factory specifications. Modifications could affect the vehicle’s performance, safety or durability, and may violate government regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification may not be covered under warranty." So what says you?
The curtain air bags deploy straight down to cover the side window glass. It's purpose is to provide you a cushion so your head doesn't go slamming into the glass, and to shield flying glass from your body. What you see in the A-pillar is the tail-end of the airbag system. I say the tail end becuase the airbag is usually mounted with the squib in the C-pillar at the back window. They do this to assure its integrity in a front-end collision. If you were to expose the airbag along its entire run it would look like a very thick (about 1-1/2 inches in diameter) white plastic cord running the length of the roof. It is anchored at each end and at chosen places along its run. No part of the airbag pops out of the A-pillar.
What EZW1 said (see below photo of craigk's exposed roof when he was having a sunroof installed): [IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-modifications/8796d1209052834-sunroof-installed-2007-prius-minneapolis-roofstructure-pc.jpg[/IMGLINK]
