The airbags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After airbag
deployment, it is normal to notice a
smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag) or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the
airbag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic.
While the system is designed to help
reduce serious injuries, contact with
a deploying airbag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary
hearing loss. Because airbags must inflate rapidly and with considerable
force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures,
facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who
are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of airbag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the airbag 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 airbag modules (which include the inflators and
airbags)
• seat-mounted side airbags (if equipped). Refer to Seat-mounted side
airbag system later in this chapter
• safety belt pretensioners
• one or more impact and safing sensors
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• a readiness light and tone
• and the electrical wiring which connects the components
• Side curtain airbag system. Refer to Side curtain airbag system later
in this chapter.
• Front passenger sensing system. Refer to Front passenger sensing
system. later in this chapter.
• “Passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp. Refer to
Front passenger sensing system. later in this chapter.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental airbag electrical system wiring (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the airbag system readiness light, the airbag
back up power, the airbag ignitors and safety belt pretensioners.
Front passenger sensing system
The front passenger sensing system is designed to meet the regulatory
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208
and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal
airbag under certain conditions.
The front passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of
the front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to
detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the
front passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or
disabled (will not inflate).
The front passenger sensing system will disable (will not inflate) the
front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
• the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in
the front seat,
• the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant
seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
• the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing
child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s
instructions,
• the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
• a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of
time,
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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag SRS, its
fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an airbag. See your
authorized dealer.
All occupants of the vehicle should always wear their safety belts
even when an airbag SRS is provided.
How does the side airbag system work?
The design and development of the side airbag system included
recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including side air
curtain systems).
The side airbag system consists of
the following:
• An inflatable nylon bag (airbag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
• 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.
Side airbags, in combination with safety belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side airbags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the airbag on the side affected by
the collision will be inflated, even if the respective seat is not occupied.
The airbag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant
to further enhance the protection provided occupants in side impact
collisions.
The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates airbag inflation.
The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
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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.
How does the side air curtain system work?
The design and development of the
side air curtain system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags (including side air
curtain systems).
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.
Side air curtains and side airbags, in combination with safety 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 and
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seat-mounted side airbag 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 seat-mounted side airbag was designed to inflate
between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact collision.
The side air curtain system 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 and seat-mounted side airbag
inflation.
The fact that the side air curtain and seat-mounted side airbag 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. The side air curtain system is designed to inflate in side
impact collisions, not roll-over, rear impact, frontal or near-frontal
collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration.
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
an authorized dealer. 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 the Airbag readiness
section in the Instrument cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag is not required.
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daytime running light ...............30
fog lamps ...................................30
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........31
instrument panel, dimming .....31
interior lamps ...........................33
replacing bulbs .........................35
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................33
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........168
Load limits .................................157
Locks
autolock .....................................86
childproof ..................................76
doors ..........................................74
Lubricant specifications ...242, 244
Lug nuts ....................................189
Lumbar support, seats ...............98
M
Message center ...........................63
english/metric button ...............68
system check button ................67
warning messages .....................68
Mirrors .........................................52
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................52
heated ........................................53
programmable memory ............80
side view mirrors (power) .......52
Moon roof ..............................57, 79
Motorcraft parts ........208, 226, 240
N
Navigation system .......................21
O
Octane rating ............................230 Oil (see Engine oil) ..................214
P
Parking brake ............................169
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....240
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................104
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................181
Power door locks ........................74
Power mirrors .............................52
Power point .................................49
Power steering ..........................171
fluid, checking and adding ....236
fluid, refill capacity ................241
fluid, specifications .........242, 244
Power Windows ...........................50
R
Relays ........................................177
Remote entry system ...........77, 79
illuminated entry ................82–83
locking/unlocking doors ...........79
opening the trunk .....................80
panic alarm ...............................80
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................82
replacing the batteries .............81
Roadside assistance ..................175
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........115
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................102, 106–110
Safety Canopy ...........................125
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Safety defects, reporting ..........202
Safety restraints ........102, 106–110
BeltMinder ............................111
extension assembly ................115
for adults .........................107–109
for children .....................131–132
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................104
safety belt maintenance .........115
warning light and chime ........110
Safety seats for children ..........135
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................246
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............102
Seats ............................................95
child safety seats ....................135
climate control ..........................99
front seats .................................95
heated ........................................22
memory seat .......................80, 98
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................89
Servicing your vehicle ..............210
Side air curtain .........................128
Spark plugs, specifications ......240,
244
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................242, 244
Speed control ..............................53
Starting your vehicle ........164–166
jump starting ..........................190
Steering
speed sensitive .......................171
Steering wheel
controls ......................................56
tilting .........................................47 T
Tilt steering wheel ......................47
Tires ...........................143–144, 184
alignment ................................150
care ..........................................147
changing ..........................184, 186
checking the pressure ............147
inflating ...................................145
label .........................................156
replacing ..................................149
rotating ....................................151
safety practices .......................149
sidewall information ...............152
snow tires and chains ............157
spare tire .................................184
terminology .............................144
tire grades ...............................144
treadwear ........................143, 148
Towing .......................................162
recreational towing .................162
trailer towing ..........................162
wrecker ....................................195
Traction control ........................170
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................237
Transmission .............................171
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....171
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
lubricant specifications ..242, 244
Trunk ...........................................76
remote release ....................71, 80
Turn signal ..................................33
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................244
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................247
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