How to tell if a car has ABS and side impact airbags?

[LoveRFD]

I'm interested in a used car. Seller says it has ABS and side impact airbags. Is there anyway I can confirm it when test drive? Thanks.

[V A N Q U I S H]

Go to autos.msn.com and search the car under used cars. Then go to specifications and then click the "interior" sub-tab. It should say if it has it or not, or which trims of the vehicle had it.

[RabidRabbit]

Either the seats or the pillar above the window will say "SRS" or "airbag", something along those lines.

ABS just hammer on the brakes, lol.

[LoveRFD]

Go to autos.msn.com and search the car under used cars. Then go to specifications and then click the "interior" sub-tab. It should say if it has it or not, or which trims of the vehicle had it.

These are options buyers can choose so I doubt I can find it out that way.

[CaptSmethwick]

These are options buyers can choose so I doubt I can find it out that way.

That depends on the model you're looking at. For some models, these features are standard - hence the (good) advice you've received. If the one you're looking at offers these as options, get the VIN and get a manufacturer's dealer to do a search.

[spf1971]

Get the VIN and call the dealership, they can tell you all of the information based on the VIN.

[dgmorr]

look for something like this under the hood. it should be in plain sight.

http://www.magnum1.com/BMW-740/740_Pics/Exterior/Maintenance/DSC-ABS-Module/DSC-ABS-Module_10-2008_3.jpg

[lurker99]

When you start the car, check if you have an ABS light on the instrument panel.

[afretes]

What type of car is it?

[samm]

When you start the car, check if you have an ABS light on the instrument panel.

you can easily remove the bulb. i would try if the car has ABS by hard braking.

[TT333]

orrrrrrr ya know, you could have asked us first by atleast mentioning the car's basic information.

[vaportech]

easy kick the bumper(or side door) as hard as you can and see if fluffy pillows magically appear.

[LoveRFD]

Sorry guys, I should have said it's an 05 Nisan Altima 2.5 S at the begining.

[VorteC]

easy kick the bumper(or side door) as hard as you can and see if fluffy pillows magically appear.
that won't set off the side ones. try rolling the car over ;)

Sorry guys, I should have said it's an 05 Nisan Altima 2.5 S at the begining.
it does have ABS.
probably doesn't have side airbags, if it does, it'll say on the pillars / side of seat.

[LoveRFD]

that won't set off the side ones. try rolling the car over ;)


it does have ABS.
probably doesn't have side airbags, if it does, it'll say on the pillars / side of seat.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[vaportech]

If you have side air bags. Its required by law to say "SRS" which means secondary restraint system. It will say on your pillars, and usually the driver or front passenger has side airbags. those are deployed from the seat. It should says SRS airbag on the side of the seat either enclosed behind a plastic casing or if you have cloth seats enclosed by the cloth and have a stitched on tag. ABS is easy to tell just hit the brakes hard and if it starts vibrating thats ABS. If you hit your brakes hard and it does not vibrate and you get the loud tire noise that means you have no abs.

[magnodrome]

To test ABS, you can step on the brakes hard and see if you can still steer. Isn't that the benefit of having ABS, the ability to manuever without letting go off your brake pedal.

[VorteC]

To test ABS, you can step on the brakes hard and see if you can still steer. Isn't that the benefit of having ABS, the ability to manuever without letting go off your brake pedal.

Yes that's ONE of the benefits... but don't you think that's little too dangerous of a "test"? 05 Altimas have ABS but if you have to test it, just slam the brakes going like 60 in straight line, if you hear a continuous screeching noise then it doesnt have ABS. If the sound/force is slightly intervalled (you will also feel vibration in pedal) then you've got ABS.

[edgedamage]

For the ABS test do what I did with my rustbucket look at the inside of the front wheel by turning the wheels as far right as they will go. And you should see this:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j235/edgedamage/DSC00099.jpg