1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar Owner's Manuals

119
%*
[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), shoulder belt height
adjusters (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)05/96]
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.
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120
*
[SS22401( ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[SS22601( ALL)05/96]
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)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.
*
[SS22801( ALL)05/96]
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.
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121
*
[SS22901( ALL)05/96]
Children and Air Bags
*
[SS23001( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: For additional important safety
information on the proper use of seat
belts, child seats, and infant seats,
please read the entire Safety Restraints
chapter in this owner guide.
*
[SS23101( ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[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)05/96]
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 activation.
*
[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)
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122or 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.
*
[SS23701( ALL)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.
*
[SS23801( ALL)05/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of:
*
[SS23901( ALL)05/96]
q
driver and passenger air bag modules (which
include the inflators and air bags),
*
[SS24001( ALL)05/96]
q
one or more impact and safing sensors,
*
[SS24101( ALL)05/96]
q
a system diagnostic module,
*
[SS24201( ALL)05/96]
q
a readiness light and tone,
*
[SS24301( ALL)05/96]
q
and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
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123 [SS24350( ALL)04/96]
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.
*
[SS24401( ALL)05/96]
Determining if System Is Operational
*
[SS24501( 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.
%*
[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)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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124
*
[SS25101( ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[SS26500( 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.
*
[SS26600( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Cargo should always be secured to
prevent it from shifting and causing
damage to the vehicle or harm to
passengers.
*
[SS26700( 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.
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

125
*
[SS26800( 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.
*
[SS26900( 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.
*
[SS27000( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets unattended in your vehicle.
%*
[SS27100( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. Never
secure rear-facing child seats or infant
carriers 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)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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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

126
*
[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.
*
[SS27900( 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.
*
[SS28000( 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.
*
[SS28100(MBC )05/96]
RWARNING
Always keep the buckle release button
pointing upward and away from the child
seat, with the tongue between the child
seat and the release button as shown in
the following illustration.
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996