And why doesn't my car have one?


high lighted in red.
Newly acquired ride and I'm not sure what it is or dose. any suggestions

 

Oh wait, that's what is under the cover on the passenger side of the engine?

 

yes sir, correct location. What is it?

 

Pedestrial protection actuators. These will launch hood upwards in case of collision for pedestrial safety.

 

Glad I don't have these!
Several real major fiasco's have happened because of this deploying when you drive over a large bump or some other type of road problem like a rail road track crossing. It will blow the hood hinges and destroy them as well as the entire hood.

I have never seen them in person as they were not required in the US.

Here is what it looks like if your car does not have these air bags. It's just an empty cup since there is no air bag and I had to dig to find out what it was for.





You can see the round area where it blows thru when it goes off.



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Agree.. Early ones had problems, practically self-deployed. People disarm them by adding resistors on connectors to prevent them going off. ( i might done some too on early days ) But on 2010, when x351 released for sales, these systems have been evolved so much that they don´t deploy anymore without actual collision.
Interesting to see an engine bay without them. Infact they are not under plastic and blow thru anything, they are plain visible both far corners with yellow warning stickers on them. (google x351 engine bay pictures)

 

And I thought the whole pedestrial protection thing was a joke.

 

Well then that answers that! If anyone knew, it would be here. my hearty thanks goes out to all.