1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD child restraint

104
*
[SS11400( ALL)02/96]
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt,
a warning light may come on and a chime may
sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning Light and Chimein
theInstrumentationchapter.
*
[SS11500( ALL)02/96]
See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety
belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for Childrenin this
chapter for special instructions about using
safety belts for children.
*
[SS11600( 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.
*
[SS11700( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Always drive and ride with your seatback
upright and the lap belt snug and low
across the hips.
*
[SS11800( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies and attaching hardware should
be inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also
be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

107
*
[SS13900( ALL)02/96]
Dual locking mode retractors operate in two
ways:
*
[SS14000( ALL)02/96]
Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode
[SS14100( ALL)12/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will allow the occupant freedom of
movement, locking tight only on hard braking,
hard cornering or impacts of approximately
5 mph (8 km/h) or more. The retractor can also
be made to lock by pulling/jerking on the belt.
%*
[SS14200( ALL)02/96]
Automatic locking mode
*
[SS14300( ALL)08/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will be automatically locked and remain
locked when the combination lap/shoulder
safety belt is buckled, and does not allow the
occupant freedom of movement. This mode
provides the following:
[SS14400( ALL)04/96]
q
A tight lap/shoulder belt fit on the occupant.
[SS14500( ALL)04/96]
q
Child seat or infant carrier installation
restraint.
*
[SS14600( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers
should never be placed in the front seats.
*
[SS14700( ALL)01/96]
This modemust be usedwhen installing a child
safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear
outboard seats where dual locking retractors are
provided.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

108
*
[SS14800( ALL)01/96]
To switch the retractor from the emergency
locking mode to the automatic locking mode,
perform the following steps:
*
[SS14900( ALL)02/96]
1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.
*
[SS15000( ALL)01/96]
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt is
extracted and, when allowed to retract, a
clicking sound is heard. At this time, the belt
retractor is in the automatic locking mode
(child restraint mode).
*
[SS15100( ALL)12/95]
3. A clicking sound will continue to be heard
as the belt is allowed to retract.
[SS15200( ALL)04/96]
NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder
belt is unbuckled and allowed to
retract completely, the retractor will
switch back to the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode. See the
detailed instructions underSafety Seats
for Childrenin this chapter.
%*
[SS17600( BC )05/96]
Safety Belts with Locking Cinch Tongue
for Rear Outboard Seating Positions
*
[SS17700( BC )05/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with safety seat belts
containing a cinch tongue at the rear outboard
seating positions.
*
[SS17800( BC )05/96]
The locking cinch tongue will slide up and
down the belt webbing when the belt is in the
stowed position or while putting seat belts on.
When the locking cinch tongue of the
lap/shoulder combination seat belt is latched
into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow the
lap portion to become shorter, but locks the
webbing in place to restrict it from becoming
longer.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

114
%*
[SS21800( ALL)03/96]
Safety Belt Maintenance
*
[SS21900( ALL)02/96]
Check the safety belt systems periodically to
make sure that they work properly and are not
damaged.
%*
[SS22000( ALL)05/96]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if equipped), child safety seat tether
bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after any
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified technician finds that
the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation
is noted.
%
*
[SS22100( ALL)05/96]
Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)
[SS22201( ALL)05/96]
Important Air Bag Precautions
*
[SS22301( ALL)03/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental
restraint system designed to work with the
safety belts to help protect you and your right
front seat passenger in the event of a collision.
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System is
primarily designed to reduce certain upper body
injuries.
*
[SS22401( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
All occupants of the vehicle, including the
driver, should always wear their safety
belts, failure to do so may increase the
risk of personal injury in the event of a
collision.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

115
*
[SS22601( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag covers that may
come into contact with an inflating air
bag. Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of personal injury in
the event of a collision.
*
[SS22701( ALL)03/96]
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.
*
[SS22801( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you are close to an inflating air bag, it
could seriously injure you. Position your
seat such that it is as far back from the
steering wheel as possible but still allows
you to properly control the vehicle.
*
[SS22901( ALL)03/96]
Children and Air Bags
*
[SS23001( ALL)03/96]
NOTE: For additional important safety
information on the proper use of seat
belts, child seats, and infant seats,
please read the entire Safety Restraints
section in this owner guide.
*
[SS23101( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Children should always wear their safety
belts. Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of personal injury in
the event of a collision.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

116
*
[SS23201( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats and infant carriers
should never be placed in the front seats.
%*
[SS23301( ALL)05/96]
How Does the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System Work?
*
[SS23401( ALL)04/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System is
designed to activate when the vehicle is in a
collision similar to hitting a fixed barrier head
on at 8-14 mph (13-23 km/h). The fact that the
air bags 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 acitivation.
[SS23501( ALL)05/96]
If the vehicle is in a moderate or severe frontal
collision, the system is activated and the air bags
inflate rapidly. After the air bag inflates, it will
quickly deflate. After the air bag deployment,
you may notice a smoke-like, powdery residue
or smell the burnt propellant. This is normal.
The residue may consist of cornstarch or talcum
powder (which is used to lubricate the air bag)
or sodium compounds, such as sodium
carbonates (e.g. baking soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the air bag.
Small amounts of sodium hydroxide may be
present which may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic. The Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System will reduce, but
not eliminate all injuries in an accident.
*
[SS23601( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Several air bag system components get hot
after inflation. Do not try to touch them
after inflation.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

118 %
*
[SS24601( ALL)05/96]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
[SS24701( ALL)05/96]
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
[SS24801( ALL)05/96]
q
the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
% [SS24901( 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.
*
[SS25001( ALL)03/96]
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.
*
[SS25101( ALL)03/96]
Disposal of Air Bags and Air Bag
Equipped Vehicles
*
[SS25201( 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.
%
*
[SS26300( ALL)01/96]
Safety Restraints for Children
*
[SS26400( 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.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996

120 %
*
[SS27100( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. Never
secure rear-facing infant seats in the front
seat.
%*
[SS27200( ALL)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[SS27300( 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.
*
[SS27500( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[SS27600( ALL)05/96]
Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg)
should use child or infant seats. Forward facing
child seats must have the passenger seat moved
as far back from the instrument panel as
possible.
*
[SS27700( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers
should never be placed in the front seats.
*
[SS27800( 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.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996