How do you tell if Vibe has side airbag option?

[andrew9638]

Hi people,I am planning on buying a used Vibe, 2005-2008, somewhere in that range. One thing that I want to make sure it has is side airbags. I understand that was option AY0. Does anybosy know how I can tell if a car has the bags? Is there a little tag on the seats or does it say anywhere in the car? Are all of the option codes listed in a car or in its documentation somewhere?thanks in advance.

[dcbridgwater]

Mine has a little tags that sayes SRS Side Airbag on the side of the front seats near the top.

[VforVIBE]

My '06 didn't have this option, but my '09 does, and it has the the little tag just like dcbridgwater said, it also says the same thing on the A pillar on the driver's side (the spot between the windshield and front windows)... BTW welcome to GVC!

[jake75]

Several former optional safety features became standard starting in 2009 - 4 wheel disc antilock brakes, side airbags, stability control (also traction control?). All this and a slightly lower msrp though the 2009 lost a few standard features like the roof rack, fold down front passenger seat, rear glass opening. That made the 2009 a bargain compared to 2008 for someone safety minded as those options would have added a lot to the price of a 2008. It was the reason I did not buy an end of model year 2008. That decision was reinforced when, due to the economy and other factors I ended up getting the 2009 for substantially less than I would have paid for the 2008.I suspect that finding a 2008 with the side airbag option is going to be difficult. I never saw many new 2008's on the lots so equipped.

[kostby]

This thread decodes early Vibe VIN numbers --> http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=824The VIN number of 2003's-2008's should include a character that identifies it in the 7th position. Perhaps 09-10 as well. Someone recently posted a link to a VIN lookup site. Quote »"The 7th digit is the Restraint Codes: 2 = Manual belts w/driver & passenger front air bags; 4 = Manual belts w/driver & passenger front & side air bags; 6 = Active (manual) belts w/drivers and passenger inflatable restraints (front and side) automatic occupant sensor (passenger)"A '4' or a '6' in the 7th position would indicate front and side air bags, and a '2' would indicate front air bags only.

[jake75]

My '09 VIN5Y2SP67 etcSo the 7th position is a "7".Of course all the '09's had the side airbags.

[andrew9638]

Thanks for the help folks.. I checked the VIN on the '06 I am looking at and the 7th digit turns out to be a 5... wierd. I should also mention I am in Canada so maybee things are different. I found this on another webpage: 7th digit - restraints 1 manual belts 2 manual belts with front airbags 4 manual belts with front airbags plus side airbags 5 manual belts with front airbags plus driver’s side airbags 6 manual belts with front airbags plus driver’s side airbags plus passenger sensor 7 manual belts with front airbags plus driver’s side airbags plus rear side airbags So that means it only has a side airbag on the driver's side? That seems cheap. Anybody know if this just applied to the Canadian shipped cars?

[jake75]

Perhaps Canada's safety requirements made a driver's side airbag mandatory.The "7" might explain my VIN - I think the '09 had side airbags for front and back seats. Adding the 2 front airbags makes six total airbags.I suggest looking for a used 2009, or at least comparing pricing.