1997 FORD RANGER Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints
127
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[SS12700(R)05/96]
How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
Work?
[SS12750(R)01/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of the
driver air bag, passenger air bag (if equipped), impact sensors, a
system diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the
electrical wiring which connects the components.
[SS12775(R)05/96]
24 pica art:0090169-C
The location of the air bags and warning labels
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128
[SS12900(R)01/96]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The
right front passenger seat air bag (if equipped) is in the upper
right hand section of the instrument panel ledge above the
glove compartment.
*
[SS13010(R)05/96]
If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact
and activate the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is
designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more
severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight)
head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses
the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal
collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the
air bag.
*
[SS13020(R)05/96]
When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate
rapidly, filling with non-toxic nitrogen gas in a fraction of a
second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by
releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes. The whole
process takes place in a matter of seconds.
[SS13025(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas
that may come in contact with a deploying air bag.
Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
*
[SS13030(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation.
Do not try to touch them after inflation.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
129
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[SS13050(R)05/96]
The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument
cluster and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will
illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE:
Maintenance of the air bag system is not required.
*
[SS13060(R)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0050087-A
Inflated driver-side air bag
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130
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[SS13070(R)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0050088-A
Inflated passenger-side air bag
*
[SS13080(R)05/96]
RWARNING
The air bag will inflate only once. The system is
designed to function on a one-time-only basis. If the air
bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION
AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, this will increase the risk of
injury in a subsequent collision.
*
[SS13090(R)05/96]
To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a
crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module, which
controls a readiness lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic
module monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical system,
the air bag readiness light, the air bag power and the air bag
inflators.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
131
%*
[SS13100(R)05/96]
A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
*
[SS13125(R)05/96]
n
the readiness light will either flash or stay illuminated,
*
[SS13150(R)05/96]
n
or it will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned
on,
*
[SS13175(R)05/96]
n
or a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
*
[SS13225(R)01/96]
If any of these things happen, have the air bag system serviced
at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the air bag supplemental restraint system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
*
[SS13300(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[SS13680(R)05/96]
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
*
[SS13700(R)05/96]
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your
local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air bagsMUSTbe
disposed of by qualified personnel.
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[SS14300(R)01/96]
Safety Restraints for Children
*
[SS14400(R)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.
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[SS14500(R)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.
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[SS14550(R)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit
where they can be properly restrained.
*
[SS14600(R)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.
*
[SS14800(R)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.
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[SS14900(R)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not install a child seat in a center facing jump seat.
*
[SS15000(R)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.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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[SS15025(R)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.
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[SS15900(R)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[SS16000(R)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.
*
[SS16015(R)01/96]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
*
[SS16025(R)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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[SS16090(R)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.
*
[SS16250(R)01/96]
RWARNING
Seatbacks should be upright for use with child safety
seats.
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[SS16280(R)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0011286-A[SS16300(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Always keep the buckle release button pointing upward
and away from the child seat, with the tongue button
between the child seat and the release button as shown
in the following illustration.
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[SS16370(R)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.
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