Off road in the H3

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jkH1+H2=H3:
Hello H3H, awsome! Pictures, Look at that h3 go.. Question, Do you have the standard under body protection or did you buy the excessory issued under body protector??? Also, Is there any chance of Air bag deployment in off roading? Aside hitting a tree?
Thanks H3H.
Also, Can any of u guys, give me a must have check list that u would recommend having in the h3, that would be helful. Im a gaget guy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, the air bags should not deploy. The primary controller (AKA the infamous black box that is really silver with yellow stickers) called an SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module), senses deceleration. It is an accelerometer that when it senses a sudden deceleration it checks against internal algorithms and determines if the bag(s) are to be deployed (blown).
If there is no passenger, the passenger air bag will not be deployed. (Passenger is sensed by weight pressing on a bladder that supplies and electrical input to the SDM.
There are also two-front sensors, that are used to help the SDM determine the severity of the crash, and whether to deploy one or both stages of the air bag(s).
There are also seat sensors to determine how close the seat is to the bag. Seat real close, only one stage of the bag(s) will deploy. Seat far back, SDM might deploy both stages of the bag(s).
Even hitting a tree head on while off-roading might not deploy the bag(s) since the deceleration of the vehicle will not be that drastic.
Air bags can save your life, but there is a fine balance of deploying them. Many times people believe they should deploy, but they do not deploy, and that is normal. They are designed to deploy in a serious crash only.
Example, hitting a deer and chances are the bag(s) will not deploy; hit a moose or a full grown cow, and chances are they will deploy.
(This information does not pertain to side air bags, they are also controlled by the SDM but rely on outboard side sensors.)
PS The SDM is the "black box" everyone talks about that contains the last five or ten seconds (depends on SDM unit) of vehicle data, but only if the bag(s) deploy, or there is what is called a near deployment. The information retained is engine RPM, vehicle speed, throttle position, brake input, seat belt usage, etc. The system was created for GM's (and Ford/Chrysler/Toyota, etc.) defense in court cases where someone stated they applied the brakes and they did not work. However, if the SDM displays the brakes were never applied and the throttle was wide open, the person was mistaken as to which pedal they were pushing.
Requires two software programs to decipher the information; one program downloads a hex file, the other deciphers the hex file into graphs. Dealers cannot access the information via the Tech 2. Also, the data stream is erased when the engine is turned off, as long as the bag(s) were not deployed or there was a near deployment.
However, you should be aware that if GM receives a court order to download the information from a court, they will do it (can't tell a court no). Also, many state police agencies have obtained the software for all manufacturers so that they can use it for accident reconstruction.
Last year, a Vette owner was convicted of vehicular manslaughter for doing over 114 mph, and the information was obtained from the SDM.
However, last year, a person who owned a Saturn was found innocent due to information obtained from an SDM. (Witnesses stated she was speeding, SDM proved she was doing under the posted speed limit.) So, it can work against you or for you.