1997 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

127
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[SS12700(ALL)05/96]
q
and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
*
[SS12800(ALL)05/96]
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal
circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the impact sensors),
the system wiring, the air bag system readiness
light, the air bag backup power and the air bag
igniters.
*
[SS12900(ALL)05/96]
Determining if System Is Operational
*
[SS13000(ALL)05/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses
a readiness light and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. The readiness light is in
the instrument cluster. When you turn the
ignition key to ON, this light will illuminate for
approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Routine maintenance of the air
bag system is not required.
%*
[SS13100(ALL)05/96]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
*
[SS13200(ALL)05/96]
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
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[SS13300(ALL)05/96]
q
the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
%*
[SS13400(ALL)05/96]
q
a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
*
[SS13500(ALL)05/96]
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly
in the event of a collision.
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128
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[SS13600(ALL)05/96]
Disposal of Air Bags and Air Bag
Equipped Vehicles
*
[SS13700(ALL)05/96]
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
%
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[SS14300(ALL)01/96]
Safety Restraints for Children
*
[SS14400(ALL)01/96]
In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law
to use safety restraints for children. If small
children ride in your vehicle Ð this generally
includes children who are four years old or
younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or
less Ð you must put them in safety seats that
are made specially for children. Safety belts
alone do not provide maximum protection for
these children. Check your local and state laws
for specific requirements.
*
[SS14500(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his
or her lap while the vehicle is moving.
The passenger cannot protect the child
from injury in a collision.
*
[SS14550(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent the risk of injury, make sure
children sit where they can be properly
restrained.
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129
*
[SS14625(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
*
[SS14650(ALL)05/96]
When possible, put children in the rear seat of
your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that
children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seating positions than in the front
seating positions.
*
[SS14700(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's
instructions included with the safety seat
you put in your vehicle. If you do not
install and use the safety seat properly,
the child may be injured in a sudden stop
or collision.
*
[SS15000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Safety belts and seats can become hot in a
vehicle that has been closed up in sunny
weather; they could burn a small child.
Check seat covers and buckles before you
place a child anywhere near them.
*
[SS15025(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets unattended in your vehicle.
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130 %
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[SS15900(ALL)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[SS16000(ALL)01/96]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the
size and weight of the child. Always follow the
safety seat manufacturer's instructions when
installing and using the safety seat.
[SS16005(ALL)01/96]
Most child safety seats can be used in this
vehicle only in vehicle seating positions with
lap/shoulder belts. Any booster-type seat that
places the vehicle's lap belt or shoulder belt
around a shield above and ahead of the child's
hips should not be used in this vehicle. This
type of safety seat could cause injury by tipping
over the front edge of the vehicle seat during a
collision.
[SS16010(ALL)04/96]
RWARNING
The following instructions MUST BE
FOLLOWED to reduce risk of injury from
a safety seat tipping too far forward in a
severe crash.
[SS16012(ALL)01/96]
Install forward-facing child safety seats only in
vehicle seating positions equipped with
lap/shoulder belts. Forward-facing convertible
safety seats can be used in the center of the
three-passenger second row bench seat only if a
top tether strap is used. Ford recommends
placing forward-facing safety seats in the second
row and using safetey seats with top tether
straps for added protection.
[SS16015(ALL)01/96]
For more information on top tether straps see
Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Strapsin this
chapter.
*
[SS16025(ALL)05/96]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to
use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating
position, and make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle. For a shoulder/lap belt
combination with a sliding tongue, make sure
the retractor is in the automatic locking mode.
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131
*
[SS16090(ALL)05/96]
All child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the
lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
*
[SS16100(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you do not properly secure the safety
seat, the child occupying the seat may be
injured during a collision or sudden stop.
An unsecured safety seat could also injure
other passengers.
*
[SS16125(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's
instructions included with the safety seat
you put in your vehicle. If you do not
install and use the safety seat properly,
the child may be injured in a sudden stop
or collision.
[SS25601(ALL)01/96]
Installing Child Safety Seats in
the Front Seat and Rear Outboard
Seating Positions
[SS25650(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking
mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of
the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the
right front seat passenger and rear outboard
passengers.
[SS25701(ALL)01/96]
If you choose to install a child safety seat or
infant carrier in these seating positions:
[SS25750(ALL)01/96]
1. Position the child seat on the seat of the
vehicle. In the front seat, adjust the vehicle
seat as far rearward as possible.
[SS25801(ALL)01/96]
2. Pull down on the shoulder belt, then grasp
the shoulder belt and lap belt together. See
Figure 1.
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132 [SS25900(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0095072-A
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[SS26000(ALL)01/96]
3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt
portions together, route the tongue through
the child seat according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. See Figure 2. Be
sure the belt webbing is not twisted, and
insert the tongue into the buckle. See
Figure 3.
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133 [SS26100(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0095073-A
Routing the lap/shoulder belt
[SS26201(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0011240-B
Buckling the belt
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134
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[SS26301(ALL)01/96]
4. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt is
extracted and a click is heard. At this time,
the retractor is in the automatic locking
mode (child seat restraint mode). See
Figure 4.
[SS26401(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0011241-A
Setting the retractor to automatic locking mode
*
[SS26500(ALL)02/96]
5. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on the
shoulder webbing. A clicking sound will be
heard as the belt retracts. This indicates the
retractor is in the automatic locking mode.
Push down on the child seat while you pull
up on the belt to remove any slack in the
belt. See Figures 5 and 6.
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