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. If the front passenger sensing system
detects an empty seat, the front passenger seat-mounted side airbag will
be deactivated. 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
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags 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.
2007 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
130
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
seat-mounted side airbag on the side affected by the collision will be
inflated, except that the passenger sensing system will deactivate the
passenger seat-mounted side airbag if it detects an empty unbuckled
passenger seat. 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.
2007 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
133
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 theAirbag readiness
section in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
airbag 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 airbag 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.
2007 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
134
J
Jack ............................................198
positioning ...............................198
storage .....................................198
Jump-starting your vehicle ......204
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................85
Keys .......................................82, 96
positions of the ignition .........169
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................47
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................52
daytime running light ...............48
fog lamps ...................................48
headlamps .................................47
headlamps, flash to pass ..........49
instrument panel, dimming .....49
interior lamps ...........................51
replacing bulbs .........................52
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................51
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........173
Load limits .................................162
Locks
autolock .....................................85
childproof ..................................88
doors ..........................................84
Lubricant specifications ...........265
Lug nuts ....................................203
Lumbar support, seats .............101M
Manual transmission .................181
fluid capacities ........................265
lubricant specifications ..........265
reverse .....................................182
Message center ...........................74
english/metric button ...............79
system check button ................78
warning messages .....................79
Mirrors .........................................68
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................67
heated ........................................68
side view mirrors (power) .......68
Moon roof ....................................72
Motorcraft parts ........224, 244, 263
N
Navigation system .......................38
O
Octane rating ............................248
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................231
P
Parking brake ............................174
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....263
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................107
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................195
Power door locks ........................84
Power mirrors .............................68
Power point .................................65
2007 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
276
Power steering ..................175–176
fluid, checking and adding ....255
fluid, refill capacity ................265
fluid, specifications .................265
Power Windows ...........................66
R
Radio ......................................20, 25
Relays ........................................191
Remote entry system ...........89–90
illuminated entry ................93–94
locking/unlocking doors .....90–91
opening the trunk .....................91
panic alarm ...............................91
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................92
replacing the batteries .............92
Roadside assistance ..................189
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........114
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........106, 109, 111–114
Safety Canopy ...........................129
Safety defects,
reporting ............................216–217
Safety
restraints ...........106, 109, 111–114
Belt-Minder...........................115
extension assembly ................114
for adults .........................111–113
for children .............................135
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................107
safety belt maintenance .........114
warning light and chime ........115
Safety seats for children ..........139Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................269
Satellite Radio Information ........35
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............106
Seats ..........................................100
child safety seats ....................139
front seats .......................100–101
heated ........................................43
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................95
Servicing your vehicle ..............226
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................27
Side air curtain .........................132
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................263, 268
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................265
Speed control ..............................68
Starting your vehicle .......169–170,
172
jump starting ..........................204
Steering
speed sensitive .......................176
Steering wheel
controls ......................................71
tilting .........................................63
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................63
Tires ...........................147–148, 198
alignment ................................155
care ..........................................151
changing ..........................198, 200
2007 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
277