Child seats in the front & adding a passenger airbag off switch

[Peter_997]

Hi guys,

Not the most exciting of topics, but many months after having a baby, I've managed to hang onto my 06 997 Gen 1 Cab, despite my initial thoughts of selling. However, I now may need to use the car as occasional transport and therefore pop a baby seat in the front when the wife has the 4x4 at work.

Looking at getting an indy to put in an on/off airbag switch, which I've been quoted in the region of £330 all in - is that a decent price? I can't find much information online, I suppose most 997s out there aren't typically used as child transport!

Also, I am not sure how long I would use this feature for, my girl is 7 months old and I suppose would be moving up to another child seat soon, but I don't know if thats in the front seat or back and at what age etc? I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has had the switch added and/or who has had to have their young kids in their 997s in car seats...

Hoping I can make it through to when she can sit in the back buckets unaided, and when I can teach her all about the Porsche marque!

Thanks,
Peter

 

[flat6]

Hi Peter

I have the Porsche Air bag disable switch installed in my 997 at a Porsche Centre. The kit includes the ISOFIX anchor points as well. I don't recall how much I paid but pretty sure it was less than that. Also you can get Porsche Club discount on the part.
Try your Porsche Centre first.

The ISOFIX anchor points are great because the seat stays in place rather than sliding around. I put a foam mat on the car's seat under the child seat to protect it. As you know, raising a child, each stage passes in a blur so I can't remember all the in's and out's of do's and dont's of what to do with a child at what age regarding child seats. Also the advice / laws can change so I wouldn't try to advise you specifically and it would be better check online from a reputable source to get the latest, such as https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seat

Hope that helps.

 

[Peter_997]

Brilliant, thanks for the advice. I shall try the local OPC too for a quote and yes had been looking at official child seat sources...issue there is that they can be a little confusing around both weight and height requirements these days, and there is often overlap in one seat transitioning to the next.

If I can establish that I will need it for at least 6-12 months plus before she can go in a seat at the back, I'll think I'll have the switch added.

I might also look into the next seat she'll need and go from there!

Cheers
Peter

 

[flat6]

I installed mine to use with a front facing child seat for an older child and so I have had years of use out of it as you should still be disabling the air bag in that scenario too. http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/faqs/#faq7

The airbag deployment is designed for and adult's height and so for a child's head height it can cause injury. Moving the car's passenger seat as far back as possible is to then to reduce the chance of the child reaching the dashboard during a collision with the airbag disabled (held back by the seat belt). Therefore you'll make use of the airbag disable installation long after your child is out of rear facing child seats.

 

[flat6]

I installed mine to use with a front facing child seat for an older child and so I have had years of use out of it as you should still be disabling the air bag in that scenario too. http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/faqs/#faq7

The airbag deployment is designed for and adult's height and so for a child's head height it can cause injury. Moving the car's passenger seat as far back as possible is to then to reduce the chance of the child reaching the dashboard during a collision with the airbag disabled (held back by the seat belt). Therefore you'll make use of the airbag disable installation long after your child is out of rear facing child seats.

 

[Peter_997]

Many thanks, I'm so glad I asked now! I'll make sure I'm fully versed in all the safety precautions.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your turbo now that the weather is finally coming around!

 

[flat6]

You too