Ask an expert
If a car is fitted with airbags and the dash warning light stays permanently on, can the system be disconnected including the removal of the warning light?
I would think in some cases the cost of repairing/replacing airbag components could be more than the total value of the car itself.
Ray
From the "Ask Jack" archives - 27 August, 2010
This is a very bad design flaw in this model Holden however they are not alone, Ford is another manufacturer that have some models with the same issue.
As you have discovered, the majority of new/modern cars have what is called a shift lock system which will not allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being placed into the “Park” position. This is done for safety reasons and eliminates human error or relying on the handbrake alone to hold the car when unattended especially on steep gradients.
I’m sure Holden cover themselves by recommending to owners/drivers to place the gear selector in the “Park” position and to apply the handbrake fully when the car is unattended and the ignition key is removed by way of the owner’s handbook.
Using the handbrake to hold a car alone does have its risks as you have discovered especially on vehicles with disc/pad operated handbrakes. When the handbrake is applied the brakes (discs and pads) are often at either normal operating temperature or fairly warm and the handbrake is applied under these conditions. As the brake temperature drops however the grip between the pads and the disc rotor lessens and the handbrake can in some cases become less effective and the car starts to creep. This obviously becomes worse when the car is placed on a steep incline.
What can you do? Not much really as Holden would defend their design as being OK and no doubt say it is the drivers responsibility to place the gear select lever in the “Park” position and to apply the handbrake fully before exiting the vehicle.
Hard to argue with however, some other manufactures would rather not take the risk and have had this safety feature fitted for some time to eliminate human error wherever possible.