1998 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints
169
*
[SS19500(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag cover that may come in contact with an inflating
air bag. Failure to follow this instruction may increase
the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
*
[SS19600(ALL)05/96]
For further information about the proper mounting of
equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford's
brochure entitledSome Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be obtained by calling
Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
*
[SS19700(ALL)05/96]
For additional important safety information on the proper use of
seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other
sections of this chapter of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats for Children.
%*
[SS19800(ALL)05/96]
How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
Work?
*
[SS19900(ALL)05/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of the
driver and passenger air bags, impact sensors, a system
diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the electrical
wiring which connects the components.
[SS20000(ALL)04/96]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel and is
indicated by the letters ªSRS.º The right front passenger seat air
bag is in the upper right-hand section of the instrument panel
ledge above the glove compartment. The letters ªSRSº appear
there. Both air bags are designed to stay out of sight until they
are activated.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

170
*
[SS20100(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.
[SS20200(ALL)04/96]
If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact
and activates 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.
*
[SS20300(ALL)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.
*
[SS20400(ALL)07/96]
RWARNING
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation.
Do not touch them after inflation.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

Seating and Safety Restraints
171
*
[SS20500(ALL)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0050087-A
Inflated driver-side air bag
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

172
*
[SS20600(ALL)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0050088-A
Inflated passenger-side air bag
*
[SS20700(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.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

Seating and Safety Restraints
173
*
[SS20800(ALL)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.
*
[SS20900(ALL)03/96]
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:Maintenance of the air bag system
is not required.
%*
[SS21000(ALL)05/96]
A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
*
[SS21100(ALL)05/96]
n
the readiness light will either flash or stay illuminated,
*
[SS21200(ALL)05/96]
n
or it will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned
on,
%*
[SS21300(ALL)05/96]
n
a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
[SS21400(ALL)12/95]
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the air
bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer
immediately.
%*
[SS21500(ALL)05/96]
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
[SS21600(ALL)12/95]
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.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

174
%*
[SS21700(ALL)01/96]
Safety Restraints for Children
*
[SS21800(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.
*
[SS21900(ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[SS22000(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Cargo should always be secured to prevent it from
shifting and causing damage to the vehicle or harm to
passengers.
*
[SS22100(ALL)05/96]
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.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

Seating and Safety Restraints
175
*
[SS22200(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.
*
[SS22300(ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[SS22400(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.
%*
[SS22500(ALL)01/96]
Built-In Child Seat (If equipped)
[SS22600(ALL)08/96]
The second row bench seat may include two optional built-in
child safety seats (one on the driver side and one on the
passenger side). This child restraint is to be usedonlyby
children who are at least one year old, weigh between 10 and
27 kilograms (22 and 60 pounds) and whose shoulders (top) are
below the bottom of the headrest in thefull upposition.
*
[SS22700(ALL)03/96]
If your child is less than one year old or weighs less than
10 kilograms (22 pounds),alwaysuse a rear facing infant or
convertible seat because a child of that size is not sufficiently
developed to withstand crash forces in a front facing position.
Follow the specific manufacturer's instructions for weight and
height restrictions.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

176
*
[SS22800(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Always latch the vehicle seat to the floor, whether the
seat is occupied or empty. If not latched, the seat may
cause injury during a sudden stop.
*
[SS22900(ALL)08/95]
Children must be properly buckled before riding in the vehicle.
It is the law in every state and province. This child seat
conforms to all Federal/Canadian motor vehicle safety
standards.
[SS23000(ALL)04/96]
Built-in child seat belt retractors
[SS23100(ALL)04/96]
The belts on the built-in child seat are equipped with a retractor
that locks when both belt tongues are latched into the crotch
safety belt buckle.
[SS23200(ALL)04/96]
The retractor will switch from the emergency locking mode to
the automatic locking mode when the shoulder belts are pulled
all the way out. The retractor will switch back to emergency
locking mode when the belts are unbuckled and the shoulder
belts retract completely.
[SS23300(ALL)04/96]
The automatic locking mode must be used to hold small
children in position, particularly sleeping children and those
who may try to squirm out of the belts. The emergency locking
mode is also used while buckling the belts.
[SS23400(ALL)12/95]
Frequently check the child seat's lap and shoulder harness belts
for correct placement and tightness. Use the child seat only if
the harness belts will stay snug when belts are placed into the
lock mode with a child in the seat. If belts do not remain snug,
take the vehicle to the dealer for child seat repair.
*
[SS23500(ALL)01/96]
Always adjust the lap and shoulder harness belts provided with
this child seat snugly around your child.
File:06wnsss.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996