2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED airbag off

When the front passenger seat is
occupied and the sensing system
has turned off the passenger’s
frontal airbag, thepassenger airbag
offorpass airbag offindicator will light and stay lit to remind you that
the front passenger frontal airbag is off. When the front passenger seat is
not occupied (empty seat) or in the event that the front passenger
frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate), the indicator light will be unlit.
Thepass airbag offindicator light is located above the glove box on the
instrument panel. To confirm the indicator light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the ON position.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the front
passenger’s frontal airbag when a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing
child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. If the child restraint has
been installed and the indicator is not lit, then turn the vehicle off,
remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint
following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate)
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that
a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to be
enabled, the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit to remind you that the
airbag is enabled (may inflate).
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the
passenger airbag offorpass airbag offindicator is lit, it is possible
that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the
vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the full upright
position, sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the
person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the
person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the
system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s airbag. If the
indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the occupant should be advised
to ride in the rear seat.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it’s
very important that they continue to sit upright with their back against
the seatback, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor while the
vehicle is still in motion. Sitting improperly can increase the chance of
injury in a crash event. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down,
turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or
both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
114

Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back reclined
too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and affect the
decision of the passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or
death in a crash. Always sit upright against your seatback, with your
feet on the floor.
The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects
placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front
passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the
passenger airbag is disabled, thepass airbag offlight may or may not
be illuminated according to the table below.
ObjectsPass Airbag Off
Indicator LightPassenger Airbag
Empty seat Unlit Disabled
Small (i.e. 3 ring
binder, small purse,
bottled water)Unlit Disabled
Medium (i.e. heavy
briefcase, fully packed
luggage)Lit Disabled
Empty seat, Small or
medium object with
safety belt buckledLit Disabled
In case there is a problem with the
passenger sensing system, the
airbag readiness light in the
instrument cluster will stay lit. DO
NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle
immediately to the dealer.
The front passenger airbag is not designed to offer protection to
an occupant in the center seating position.
An out of position front center occupant could affect the
decision of the front passenger sensing system.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
115

A
Accessory delay ..........................48
Air cleaner filter .......................245
Air conditioning ....................27, 29
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................109, 116, 119
and child safety seats ............111
description ..............109, 116, 119
disposal ....................................122
driver airbag ............111, 117, 120
indicator light .................116, 121
operation .................111, 117, 120
passenger airbag .....111, 117, 120
side airbag ...............................116
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................178
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................225
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................169
Anti-theft system ........................86
arming the system ....................86
disarming a triggered system ..87
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 20
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ....................242–243
fluid, checking ................242–243
fluid, refill capacities ..............246
fluid, specification ..................250
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................174–175
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........248
B
Battery .......................................223acid, treating emergencies .....223
jumping a disabled battery ....194
maintenance-free ....................223
replacement, specifications ...245
servicing ..................................223
BeltMinder .................................103
Brakes ........................................169
anti-lock ...................................169
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................169
fluid, checking and adding ....242
fluid, refill capacities ..............246
fluid, specifications .........248, 250
lubricant specifications ..248, 250
parking ....................................170
shift interlock ..........................172
Bulbs ............................................37
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....246
Cargo net .....................................71
Cassette tape player ...................17
Cell phone use ............................70
Changing a tire .........................138
Child safety restraints ..............123
child safety belts ....................123
Child safety seats ......................125
attaching with tether straps ..129
in front seat ............................127
in rear seat ..............................127
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............211
instrument panel ....................213
interior .....................................213
interior trim ............................213
plastic parts ............................212
washing ....................................210
waxing .....................................210
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
256