need some advice from those with any experience concerning the use of aftermarket racing wheels.

i'm thinking of replacing my R's steering wheel with one of those from either spoon, mugen or momo-but i am concerned about my insurance, being sued and the liability factor.

is there a way i can circumvent this by filing the right paperwork...taking the right steps? i see you guys with racing wheels all the time on here, and i figure fellow R owners have more informed advice on what is expected and what laws are intact.

i guess my last question is, if there is a way to make the passenger airbag still work (i've heard of using a resistor of some sort), any advice would be appreciated.

reasoning behind all this inquiry is i would like a smaller diameter wheel and i've always been criticized by buddies about how close to the wheel i sit. i've heard stories about sitting close and it scares me

 

As far as I know there is no law requiring you to have an airbag in your car. I think people assume they are law but as far as I know manufacturers put them in voluntarily (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Now you can tell your insurance that you've ditched the airbag and they'll probably raise your rates but you pay insurance not with the understanding that you'll keep your car stock but that they cover you regardless. As far as I'm concerned it's none of their business what I have in my car. Not saying they wouldn't give you a hard time if you were in an accident but I don't think they'd legally be able to deny your claims.

There is a plug that goes into your airbag w/ two wires going into it. You'll have to put a 2.2 ohm resister (I think that's what it is) in between these two wires. Do it while you've got the battery out putting the wheel in and I don't think the SRS light will ever come on and your passenger bag will continue working.

Hope that helped. If you decide to go for an aftermarket wheel look for a 350mm wheel, perfect size

 

I'd think part of the issue is that owners of cars with ABS are given insurance breaks automatically. Its a factored in safety item. Once you remove it and you don't change that with the insurance company i'd guess they would consider it fraud. This being because they are giving you an insurance break for that safety device you removed.

I would guess that simply telling your insurance about it and having it removed from your insurance discounts would work. I'd ask them about it first and see.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris93Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As far as I know there is no law requiring you to have an airbag in your car. I think people assume they are law but as far as I know manufacturers put them in voluntarily (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
</TD></TR></TABLE> Actually if your car came equipped with SRS equipment oem, you are not allowed (legally) to take it out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Threatcon13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Actually if your car came equipped with SRS equipment oem, you are not allowed (legally) to take it out. </TD></TR></TABLE>

&lt; criminal

 

This is true in Canada.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris93Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As far as I know there is no law requiring you to have an airbag in your car.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

if your 5ft or less and sit way too close to the steering wheel you could geta court order to leaglly remove your driver airbag. your srs light will stay on but i believe thw passenger will still work in case of an accident

 

all cars are now legally required to have airbags from the oem.

local laws dictate if you can take it out or not (probably turn your car into a "kit" car and be excused).

 

if an air bag isnt required to be included with the new car how can they require that you leave it there if it was put in?

Also what if your car was in a wreck and you dont have an airbag to replace it?

 

call your local insurance agent - they should probably know...

 

after a certain year the DOT required all manufacturers to put airbags into their cars.

This is why all cars now have airbags....not just because they felt generous and actually care about people.

but you are at liberty to remove the airbags as you please. they are not "required" by law, but manufacturers are "required" to put them in.

 

I spoke with progressive insurance company a while ago about removing both of my airbags. the lady told me that my rates would go up but then she also said that they would not guarantee 100% coverage if i where to get into a car accident because the safety of the car was altered.

she said even though I'm paying more because i removed the air bag, if i where to get into an accident and someone would die or get hurt, they would have to investigate my claim and not guarantee coverage.

bullshit if you ask me but i opted to just get the JDM SRS

 

If you your car gets wrecked and you pop the airbags, 99% your car will be considered salvage. Once its salvage and you want to re-register the car as drivable, DMV sends you to Highway Patrol to check the vins on the new parts you replaced. Highway Patrol will not even look at your car without airbags.

 

appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions it seems like there are a lot of grays concerning this issue; even my own local insurance reps could not give me a clean direct answer.

i should also add that after reading everyone's advice, i was already planning on installing a cage/rollbar and harnesses for both me and my passenger's seats. i would imagine that the harnesses would keep us from ever seeing the steering wheel or dashboard if there is, god forbid, ever a frontal impact. everyone's concern has convinced me to go this extra step in safety before i even mess with the airbags.

i hope to hit the track as soon as i can pay-off the R, so doing all this now in advance is gonna help me later on. (i'm not taking any chances on the track until the bank no longer has a lien on my baby )

if there are any others out there who have anything to add or mention on this issue, no matter how insignificant, please let us know because i am sure other HT members out there are asking the same questions and in the end we all learn from each of our own experiences and knowledge...

i love this site

 

I'm interested in this issue as well. I've been toying with the idea of an aftermarket wheel so that I can extend/move the steering wheel closer to me (I'm tall and like to have the seat far back for leg room). I'd would very much like to hear more experiences and insight...