Children must always be properly
restrained. Accident statistics suggest that
children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seating positions than in the
front seating position. Failure to follow
these instructions may increase the risk of
injury in a crash.
FRONT PASSENGER SENSING
SYSTEM
WARNINGS
Even with Advanced Restraints
Systems, children 12 and under
should be properly restrained in a
rear seating position. Failure to follow this
could seriously increase the risk of injury or
death. 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. To reduce the risk of possible serious
injury: Do not stow objects in seat
back map pocket 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 WARNINGS
and the center console. 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. Any alteration or modification to the
front passenger seat may affect the
performance of the front passenger
sensing system. This system works with sensors that are
part of the front passenger
’s seat and
safety belt to detect the presence of a
properly-seated occupant and determine
if the front passenger ’s frontal airbag
should be enabled (may inflate) or not. The front passenger sensing system uses
a pass airbag off indicator which will
illuminate and stay lit to remind you that
the front passenger frontal airbag is
disabled.
The indicator lamp is located at the top
center of the instrument panel.
Note:
When the ignition is first tuned on,
the indicator lamp will illuminate for a short
period of time to confirm it is functional.
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. Even with this technology,
36
Fiesta (CCT), enUSA, Second Printing Supplementary Restraints SystemE142846 E157152
parents are STRONGLY encouraged to
always properly restrain children in the rear
seat. The sensor also turns off the
passenger front airbag and seat-mounted
side airbag when the passenger seat is
empty.
• 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 lamp will be unlit and stay
unlit.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front
passenger ’s seat, but the airbag off
indicator 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 seat back 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. Passenger airbag
Passenger airbag OFF indic-
ator
Occupant
Disabled
Unlit
Empty
Disabled
Lit
Child
Enabled
Unlit
Adult
Note: When the passenger airbag off light
is illuminated, the passenger (seat
mounted) side airbag may be disabled to
avoid the risk of airbag deployment injuries.
After all occupants have adjusted their
seats and put on safety belts, it is 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.
If you think that the status of the passenger
airbag off indicator lamp is incorrect, check
for the following:
37
Fiesta (CCT), enUSA, Second Printing Supplementary Restraints System
