2003 LINCOLN LS Owners Manual

are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag has deployed,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:
•driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags)
•side air bags. Refer toSide air bag systemlater in this chapter
•safety belt pretensioners
•one or more impact and safing sensors
•a readiness light and tone
•and 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, the air bag ignitors and safety belt pretensioners.
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 theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
air bag is not required.
Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit
•The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned to the RUN position
Seating and Safety Restraints
161

•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or 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.
Side air bag system (if equipped)
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag
cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats or in front
seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying air bag. Failure
to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in
the event of a collision.
Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of accessory seat
covers may prevent the deployment of the side air bags and
increase the risk of injury in an accident.
Do not lean your head on the door. The side air bag could injure
you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag SRS, its
fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an air bag. See your
Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
All occupants of the vehicle should always wear their safety belts
even when an air bag SRS is provided.
Seating and Safety Restraints
162

Howdoesthesideair bag system work?
The side air bag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable nylon bag (air bag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
•A special seat cover designed to
allow air bag deployment.
•The same warning light,
electronic control and diagnostic unit as used for the front air bags.
•Two crash sensors located under the outboard side of the front seats,
attached near 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
163

Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
If the side air bag has
deployed,the air bag will
not function again. The side
air bag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual.If
the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
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 theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
air bag is not required.
Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light (same light as used for front air bag system) will
either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned to the RUN position.
•A 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.
Seating and Safety Restraints
164

Side air curtain system (if equipped)
Do not place objects or
mount equipment on or
near the airbag cover on the side
of the seatbacks of the front seats
or in front seat areas that may
come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow
these instructions may increase
the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
headliner at the siderail that may come into contact with a
deploying side air curtain. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the side air
curtain cover.
Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag could injure
you as it deploys from the seat.
Do not lean your head on the door. The side air curtain could
injure you as it deploys from the headliner.
Seating and Safety Restraints
165

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the side air curtain
system, its fuses, the A, B, or C pillar trim, or the headliner on a
vehicle containing a side air curtain. See your Ford or Lincoln Mercury
dealer.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag
supplemental restraint system, its fuses, or the seat cover on a
seat containing an air bag. See your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
wear their safety belts even when an inflatable curtain is
provided.
To reduce the risk of injury, do not obstruct or place objects in
the deployment of the inflatable curtain.
Seating and Safety Restraints
166

Howdoesthe side air curtain system work?
The side air curtain system consists
of the following:
•An inflatable nylon curtain with a
gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the
doors.
•The headliner will flex to open
above the side doors to allow air
curtain deployment.
•The same warning light,
electronic control and diagnostic
unit as used for the front airbags.
•Two crash sensors located under
the outboard side of the front
seats, attached near the floor.
•Two crash sensors located at the
base of the“C”pillars above the
wheel house.
•An inflatable nylon bag (airbag) with a gas generator concealed behind
the outboard bolster of the driver and front passenger seatbacks.
•A special seat cover to allow airbag deployment (front seats only).
Side air curtains, 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 curtains are mounted to the sheet metal above the first and
second row seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air curtain on the side
affected by the collision will be inflated, even if the respective seat is not
occupied. The air curtain was designed to inflate between the side
window area and occupant to further enhance the head protection
provided to occupants in side impact collisions.
The air curtain SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains
lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical
circuit that initiates air curtain inflation.
The fact that the air curtains 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 curtains 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
167

Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
If the side air curtain has deployed,the air curtain will not
function again. The side air curtain system (including the
A, B and C pillar trim and headliner) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the vehicle
service manual.If the air curtain is not replaced, the unrepaired area
will increase the risk of injury in a collision.
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 theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
air bag is not required.
Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light (same light as used for front air bag system) will
either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned to the RUN position.
•A 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.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
(including pretensioners)
See your local dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE
disposed of by qualified personnel.
Seating and Safety Restraints
168