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How does the side airbag system work?
The design and development of the
side airbag system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags.
The side airbag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable bag (airbag) with a
gas generator concealed behind
the outboard bolster of the driver
and front passenger seatbacks.
•A special seat cover designed to
allow airbag deployment.
•The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
•Two crash sensors located near the side of the vehicle.
Side airbags, in combination with safety belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side airbags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the airbag on the side affected by
the collision will be inflated. The airbag was designed to inflate between
the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided
occupants in side impact collisions.
The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates airbag inflation.
The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
Seating and Safety Restraints
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WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•DO NOT MIXdifferent colors or types of coolant in your vehicle.
Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant
may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty. Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitiesin this chapter.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
distilled water to the FULL COLD level. For all other vehicles which have
a coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Maintenance and Specifications
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’LOAD SAFE’
L-Lateral S-Soft
O-Orientation A-and
A-and F-Fixed
D-Direction E-Equipment
Equipment categories and placement
It is recognized that a wide variety of equipment is carried in the trunks of
police vehicles as noted above. This section addresses the inherent risks of
various types of equipment in the event of a high-speed rear impact.
This information is divided into three categories:
•Carrying not recommended
•Carry with caution
•Low risk items
WARNING: Carrying not recommended – The following
items have been observed in police vehicles and should
not be transported in a vehicle trunk– containers with gasoline,
loose ammunition, loose flares, loose fire extinguisher(s), loose 4-point
lug wrench, loose crowbars, loose axes and other loose equipment with
potential puncture capability in high speed rear end collisions.
Carry with caution –These items will require special packing or
mounting consideration and possibly use of the Trunk Pack™ as an
additional level of safety. Examples include (with proposed orientation):
fire extinguisher (fixed), lug wrench 4–point (fixed - vertical), rolotape
measuring wheel (fixed - vertical), safety flares (lateral orientation – in a
container), stop stick (lateral - mount on deck lid inner panel), shovel
(lateral - place at rear of trunk), shotgun and rifle (lateral - store in
case), baton (lateral - place at rear of trunk), ammunition (container).
Flares should be placed in a protective storage container (preferably soft
sided plastic). Flares with spikes attached should be laterally oriented in
the trunk area.
1.Spare tire special considerations –The safest location for the
spare tire, jack and lug wrench is the production location on the forward
package shelf above the rear axle. If unable to mount there, the next
safest location for the spare tire is mounted vertically inside the Trunk
Pack™ using the J-bolt attachment device provided with the Trunk
Pack™. The jack and lug wrench should be stored in the rearward
compartment of the Trunk Pack™.
Crown Victoria Severe Duty
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