1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar belt

114
*
[SS17900( BC )05/96]
Before you can reach and latch a combination
lap and shoulder belt having a cinch tongue into
the buckle, you may have to lengthen the lap
belt portion of it. To lengthen the lap belt, pull
some webbing out of the shoulder belt retractor.
While holding the webbing below the tongue,
grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue so
that it is parallel to the webbing and slide the
tongue upward. Provide enough lap belt length
so that the tongue can reach the buckle.
*
[SS18000( BC )05/96]
NOTE: If you grasp the tongue by the tongue
cover to lengthen the belt, the tongue
cover will grab the webbing, making it
difficult to slide.
[SS18100( BC )05/96]
half page art:0011373-A
Adjusting the cinch tongue rear combination lap and
shoulder belt
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

115
*
[SS18200( BC )05/96]
To fasten a cinch tongue, pull the combination
lap and shoulder belt from the retractor so that
the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt
crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt
is not twisted. If the belt is twisted remove the
twist. Insert the belt tongue into the proper
buckle for your seating position until you hear a
snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on the
tongue.
*
[SS18300( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The lap belts should fit snugly and as low
as possible around the hips, not around
the waist.
*
[SS18400( BCGV)05/96]
RWARNING
Front and rear seat occupants, including
pregnant women, should wear safety belts
for optimum protection in an accident.
*
[SS18500( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Each seating position in your vehicle has a
specific safety belt assembly which is
made up of one buckle and one tongue
that are designed to be used as a pair. 1)
Use the shoulder belt on the outside
shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder
belt under the arm. 2) Never swing it
around your neck over the inside
shoulder. 3) Never use a single belt for
more than one person.
*
[SS18600( BC )01/96]
Due to folding rear seats, sometimes the buckles
and tongues toward the center of the vehicle
may be hidden by the rear edge of the seat
cushion. Pull them out so they will be accessible.
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

116
*
[SS18700( BC )05/96]
While you are fastened in the seat belt, the
combination lap/shoulder belt with a cinch
tongue adjusts to your movement. However, if
you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle
receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more,
the safety belt will become locked and help
reduce your forward movement.
[SS18800( ALL)01/96]
To unfasten all the belts:
[SS18900(MBC )01/96]
1. Push the release button on the end of the
buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch
from the buckle.
[SS19100( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0011336-A
Unfastening the front outboard lap/shoulder belts
[SS19200( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0011370-A
Unfastening the rear outboard lap/shoulder belts
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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

117
*
[SS19600( ALL)01/96]
2. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to
its stowed position. If you do not guide the
tongue, it may strike you or part of the
vehicle.
% [SS20200( BC )12/95]Lap Belts Ð Rear Center Seating
Positions
*
[SS20500( BC )12/95]
The lap belt in the center of the rear seat does
not adjust automatically. You must adjust it to
fit snugly and as low as possible around your
hips. Do not wear it around your waist.
*
[SS20600( BCGV)01/96]
Pull the belt across your hips andinsert the
tongue into the correct buckleon your seat
until you hear a snap and feel it lock. Make sure
the buckle is securely fastened.
%*
[SS20700( BCGV)01/96]
If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it and
tip the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt.
Pull the belt tongue over your lap until it
reaches the buckle.
*
[SS20800( BCGV)01/96]
If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the loose
end of the webbing until the belt fits snugly.
*
[SS20900( BCGV)12/95]
To unfasten the belt,push the release button on
the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch
from the buckle.
[SS21000( BC )12/95]
Because the center lap belt does not have a
retractor, it should be shortened and fastened
when not in use.
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

118 [SS21300( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0000029-EUnfastening center rear seat lap belt
%*
[SS21400( ALL)02/96]
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
*
[SS21500( ALL)01/96]
For some people, the safety belt may be too
short even when it is fully extended. You can
add about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt length
with a safety belt extension assembly (part
number 611C22). Safety belt extensions are
available at no cost from your dealer.
*
[SS21600( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions will
affect the performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal injury.
*
[SS21700( ALL)01/96]
Use only extensions manufactured by the same
supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer
identification is located at the end of the
webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt
extension only if the safety belt is too short for
you when fully extended. Do not use extension
to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the
torso.
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

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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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

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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Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996

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)
File:06rcssc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:59:45 1996