2006 FORD FREESTYLE airbag off

For side airbag equipped vehicles, the front passenger sensing system
will turn off the passenger seat side airbag if:
•the seat is empty and safety belt is unbuckled.
The front passenger sensing system
uses apassenger airbag offor
pass airbag offindicator which will
illuminate and stay lit to remind you
that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled. The indicator lamp is
located in the center stack of the instrument panel above the radio.
Note: The indicator lamp will illuminate for a short period of time when
the ignition is turned to the ON position to confirm it is functional.
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 lamp will be unlit.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not
inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag when a rear facing infant
seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected.
•When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate)
the front passenger frontal airbag, the indicator lamp will illuminate
and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is
disabled.
•If the child restraint has been installed and the indicator lamp 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 instructions.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate)
the 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 front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger
frontal airbag (may inflate), the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the
passenger airbag offorpass airbag offindicator lamp 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.
•Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,
with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
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•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 frontal air bag.
•If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be
advised to ride in the rear seat.
OccupantPass Airbag Off
Indicator LightPassenger Airbag
Empty seat Unlit Disabled
Small child in child
safety seat or boosterLit Disabled
Small child with safety
belt buckled or
unbuckledLit Disabled
Adult Unlit Enabled
Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12 and under
should be properly restrained in the back seat.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it’s
very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated
occupant sits upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered on the
seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor. 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.
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 front passenger sensing system, resulting in serious
injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.
2006 Freestyle(219)
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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 offlamp may or may not
be illuminated according to the table below.
ObjectsPass Airbag Off
Indicator LightPassenger Airbag
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
If you think that the status of the passenger airbag off indicator lamp is
incorrect, check for the following:
•Objects lodged underneath the seat
•Objects between the seat cushion and the center console (if
equipped)
•Objects hanging off the seat back
•Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket (if equipped)
•Objects placed on the occupant’s lap
•Cargo interference with the seat
•Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat
•Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat
The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated
occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the passenger sensing system.
The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or lighter due
to the conditions described in the list above.
2006 Freestyle(219)
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To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:
Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket (if equipped) or
hang objects off seat back if a child is in the front passenger seat.
Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between
the seat and the center console (if equipped).
Check the “passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp for
proper airbag Status.
Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front
passenger seat sensing system.
In case there is a problem with the
front passenger sensing system, the
airbag readiness lamp in the
instrument cluster will stay lit.
If the airbag readiness lamp is lit, do the following:
The driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects that
may be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering
with the seat.
If objects are lodged and/or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take
the following steps to remove the obstruction:
•Pull the vehicle over.
•Turn the vehicle off.
•Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
•Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
•Restart the vehicle.
•Wait at least 2 minutes and verify that the airbag readiness lamp is no
longer illuminated
•If the airbag readiness lamp remains illuminated, this may or may/not
be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.
DO NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle
immediately to an authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer
Relationship Center at the phone number shown in theCustomer
Assistancechapter of thisOwner’s Guide.
2006 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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A
Accessory delay ..........................67
Air cleaner filter .......................269
Air conditioning ........42, 44, 46, 49
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................132–133, 142, 144
and child safety seats ............134
description ..............133, 142, 144
disposal ....................................147
driver airbag ............135, 142, 145
indicator light .................135, 146
operation .................135, 142, 145
passenger airbag .....135, 142, 145
side airbag ...............................142
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................198
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................251
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................190
Anti-theft system ......................103
arming the system ..................103
disarming a triggered
system .....................................104
Audio system
(see Radio) ............................17, 20
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................268
fluid, checking ........................268
fluid, refill capacities ..............270
fluid, specification ..................274
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................195
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........272B
Battery .......................................249
acid, treating emergencies .....249
jumping a disabled battery ....222
maintenance-free ....................249
replacement, specifications ...269
servicing ..................................249
BeltMinder .................................126
Brakes ........................................189
anti-lock ...................................190
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................190
fluid, checking and adding ....268
fluid, refill capacities ..............270
fluid, specifications .........272, 274
lubricant specifications ..272, 274
parking ....................................191
shift interlock ..........................193
Bulbs ............................................56
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....270
Cargo cover .................................89
Cargo net .....................................88
Cassette tape player ...................17
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................214
Child safety restraints ..............147
child safety belts ....................147
Child safety seats ......................151
in front seat ............................152
in rear seat ..............................152
tether anchorage hardware ...155
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............237
instrument panel ....................239
interior .....................................239
2006 Freestyle(219)
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Index
281