C5 Pass. Airbag ... shut-off switch?

'02: Seat shut-off: Yes, standard. Adaptive to pax weight: NO. Pax switched off is a requirement for most events when the navigator is using a laptop or clipboard.

-- PJ '89 Hookercar '02 6-spd e-blu coupe

No, and most were dealer installed prior to 2002 if you could get them to do it.

There were a few car makers that started sensing weight in 1999 and in 2003 with GM implementing "LATCH", (lower assist tether for children) but the use of that information varies all over the place. That system required the manual deactivation of the airbag. Some just stop the deployment and still others regulate the speed it deploys. Also not all functions were applied to the full years production. My

2004 had only the key shut off and my 2005 has the key shut off, weight sensing, and tether points. Best check with your dealer for the specifics of your serial number to be sure. Also not all of this information applies to Corvette and is a general development window for weight sensing airbag controls.

By 2006, the U.S. government is requiring that one-third of cars have a sensor in the front seat to detect the weight of the passenger. From that the sensor will read the weight, it goes though some analog signal conditioning, then to either a DSP or microprocessor or microcontroller to make a decision whether or not to deploy the airbag.

For instance, children riding in the front seat -- who could be severely hurt by the blow of an airbag and who's estimated height would not cause them to hit the dashboard-- would not have airbags deployed, thanks to these smarter systems.

Also -

Dad

2001 models had the air bag switch standard. A retrofit kit is available from GM parts for earlier C5s.