2006 Mercury Montego airbag off

that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled. The indicator lamp is
located above the glove box on the instrument panel.
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.
•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 airbag.
•If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be
advised to ride in the rear seat.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
123

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.
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.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
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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.
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.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
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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.
Any alteration/modification to the front passenger seat may
affect the performance of the front passenger sensing system.
Determining if the system is operational
The supplemental restraint system uses a warning indicator light in the
instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theWarning lights and chimessection in the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not
required.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
126

A
Accessory delay ..........................59
Air cleaner filter .......................254
Air conditioning ....................39, 41
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................118, 127, 129
and child safety seats ............120
description ..............118, 127, 129
disposal ....................................132
driver airbag ............120, 127, 130
indicator light .................126, 132
operation .................120, 127, 130
passenger airbag .....120, 127, 130
side airbag ...............................127
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................181
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................234
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................171–172
Anti-theft system ..................92, 95
arming the system ....................95
disarming a triggered
system .......................................96
triggering ...................................96
Audio system (see Radio) ...16, 19
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ....................251–252
fluid, checking ................251–252
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
fluid, specification ..................259
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................176, 178
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........257
B
Battery .......................................232acid, treating emergencies .....232
jumping a disabled battery ....203
maintenance-free ....................232
replacement, specifications ...254
servicing ..................................232
BeltMinder .................................113
Brakes ........................................171
anti-lock ...........................171–172
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............172
fluid, checking and adding ....251
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
parking ....................................172
shift interlock ..........................175
Bulbs ............................................49
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....255
Cargo net .....................................79
Cassette tape player ...................16
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................197
Child safety restraints ..............133
child safety belts ....................133
Child safety seats ......................136
attaching with tether straps ..140
in front seat ............................137
in rear seat ..............................137
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............220
instrument panel ....................221
interior .....................................222
interior trim ............................222
plastic parts ............................220
washing ....................................218
waxing .....................................219
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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