
²The vehicle's cellular phone automatically places a call to a 24 hour
emergency response center.
²When contact is made, the vehicle sends an electronic data message
to the response center's computer. This data message includes latitude
and longitude coordinates obtained from the vehicle's positioning
system and customer identification information.
²Once the data transmission is complete, the call is forwarded to a
response center operator who confirms your location using a
computerized map.
²The vehicle's cellular handset is locked-out, the phone is automatically
placed in the ªhands-freeº mode and voice communication is
established with the operator through the ªhands-freeº microphone.
²Typically, voice communication with an operator is established within
one minute after an assistance control is pressed.
²The operator verbally obtains details of your situation and, if
necessary, ties your vehicle into a three-way phone call with the
United States Auto Club or local 911 or other emergency services to
dispatch the appropriate assistance to your location.
²In most situations, only the response center can terminate an
assistance request. Once the operator terminates the call, the system
warning light will stop flashing and the system will be reset.
General description
Lincoln's Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit (RESCU) is designed
to expedite roadside, emergency or information assistance to motorists
who are uncertain of their location and/or are uncertain of whom to
contact for assistance.
The Lincoln RESCU system utilizes Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology and the nation's cellular phone network to track vehicle
location and, at the touch of a control, put you in voice contact with the
Lincoln Security Response Center.
Two controls in the overhead console, Information (i) and Emergency
(S.O.S.) will activate the system:
When a control is selected, the RESCU System will direct the vehicle's
cellular phone to automatically place a call to the response center's
central computer. Once a connection is made, an electronic data message
will be transmitted. This data message will include:
²Type of alarm (Information, Emergency or Air Bag activation)
Controls and features
56 

²notify pre-designated family contacts or friends of the emergency
situation, if requested, or if no response is received from the vehicle.
If you are certain of your location, a direct phone call to 911 or
other emergency services may provide a faster response.
If roadside assistance is required, the Lincoln Security Response Center
will contact the Lincoln Commitment Roadside Assistance provider via
three±way phone call.
Activation and deactivation
When either of the two Lincoln RESCU controls are pressed, or the air
bags are deployed (this will activate the system as an emergency
automatically), a warning light, located in the overhead console, will
begin to flash and status messages will be displayed on the vehicle's
message center, confirming an assistance request has been made. The
warning light will continue to flash throughout the activation.
The system can be activated whenever your ignition key is in the
RUN/START position and for six minutes after your vehicle is turned off.
Once a RESCU control has been pressed, do not attempt to crank the
engine as this may cancel the activation. In most situations, the
assistance request can only be terminated and the system reset when a
special tone is sent to the vehicle by the Lincoln Security Response
Center. (SeeAutomatic rediallater in this chapter for exceptions.)
Operation will continue even if the vehicle is turned off during an
activation (although visual feedback via the message center will not be
available in this situation).
INFO activations can be cancelled by pressing the END button on the
cellular phone.
Cellular phone interface
The cellular phone must be connected to the vehicle and activated for
the system to work. During an activation, Lincoln RESCU takes control
of the vehicle's cellular phone. If the phone is in use, the call will be
terminated and the Lincoln Security Response Center will automatically
be dialed. The cellular handset becomes inoperative and all voice
communication with the operator is accomplished via the cellular phone's
ªhands-freeº microphone.
When an activation is terminated, your phone is left unlocked, in the ON
state and may not return to its previous call restriction or system
selection setting. It can be reprogrammed to your previous setting as
desired.
Controls and features
58 

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 extensions to change the
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8
seconds.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
Belt minder (if equipped)
The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt
warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the
driver that the driver's safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster.
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100 

If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the vehicle has
reached at least 5 km/h (3 mph)
and 1-2 minutes have elapsed
since the ignition switch has been
turned to ON...The Belt Minder feature is
activated - the safety belt warning
light illuminates and the warning
chime sounds for 6 seconds every
30 seconds, repeating for
approximately 5 minutes or until
safety belt is buckled.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
while the safety belt indicator light
is illuminated and the safety belt
warning chime is sounding...The Belt Minder feature will not
activate.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The Belt Minder feature will not
activate.
The purpose of the Belt Minder is to remind occasional wearers to wear
safety belts all of the time.
The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts:
(All statistics based on U.S. data)
Reasons given... Consider...
9Crashes are rare
events936 700 crashes occur every day.The more
we drive, the more we are exposed to9rare9
events, even for good drivers.1 in 4 of us will
be seriously injured in a crash during our
lifetime.
9I'm not going far93of4fatal crashes occur within25miles of
home.
9Belts are
uncomfortable9Ford designs its safety belts to enhance
comfort. If you are uncomfortable - try different
positions for the safety belt upper anchorage
and seatback which should be as upright as
possible; this can improve comfort.
9I was in a hurry9Prime time for an accident.Belt Minder
reminds us to take a few seconds to buckle up.
9Seat belts don't
work9Safety belts,when used properly,reduce risk
of deathto front seat occupants by45% in
cars,and by60% in light trucks.
Seating and safety restraints
101 

²all vehicle doors are closed
²the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
²the parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If vehicle is equipped
with Autolamps, this will not affect the procedure.)
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt
Minder feature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately 1±2
minutes)
²Steps 3±5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated.
3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled. This can be done before or during Belt Minder
warning activation.
4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps.
5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
²After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
²This will disable Belt Minder if it is currently enabled, or enable Belt
Minder if it is currently disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the
safety belt warning light four times per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the safety
belt warning light four times per second for three seconds, followed by
three seconds with the safety belt warning light off, then followed by
flashing the safety belt warning light four times per second for three
seconds again.
9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
Seating and safety restraints
103 

Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
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, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
AIR
BAG
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108 

How does the side air bag system work?
The side air bag system consists of
the following:
²An inflatable nylon bag (air bag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
²A special seat cover designed to
allow airbag deployment.
²The same warning light,
electronic control and diagnostic
unit as used for the front air
bags.
²Two crash sensors located under
the outboard side of the front
seats, attached to the floor.
Side air bags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated, even if the respective seat is not
occupied. The air bag was designed to inflate between the door panel
and occupant to further enhance the protection provided occupants in
side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates air bag inflation.
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. Side air bags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
Seating and safety restraints
110 

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
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125