Ford Taurus 2010 Owners Manual
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•This will enable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it is currently disabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will flash four times per second for three seconds, followed by three seconds with the light off, then followed by the safety belt warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds again. AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) The airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is designed to work in conjunction with the safety belts to help protect the driver and front outboard passenger from certain upper body injuries. The term “supplemental restraint” means the airbags are intended as a supplement to the safety belts. Airbags alone cannot protect as well as airbags plus safety belts in impacts for which the airbags are designed to deploy, and airbags do not offer any protection in crashes for which they do not deploy. Seating and Safety Restraints 171 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
Important supplemental restraint system precautions Airbags DO NOT inflate slowly or gently and the risk of injury from a deploying airbag is greatest close to the trim covering the airbag module. WARNING:All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is provided. WARNING:When possible, all children 12 years old and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position. WARNING:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and the driver airbag module. WARNING:Never place your arm over the airbag module as a deploying airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries. Steps you can take to properly position yourself away from the airbag: •Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably. •Recline the seat slightly (one or two degrees) from the upright position. Seating and Safety Restraints 172 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
WARNING:Do not put anything on or over the airbag module. Placing objects on or over the airbag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the airbag into your face and torso causing serious injury. WARNING:Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) or its fuses. See your authorized dealer. WARNING:Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of the vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system, increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle. Children and airbags 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 collision. WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.NEVERplace a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the way back. Seating and Safety Restraints 173 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work? The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains longitudinal 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. Front airbags are designed to inflate in frontal and near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration. 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 or swelling. Temporary hearing loss is also a possibility as a result of the noise associated with a deploying airbag. 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. WARNING:Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation. Seating and Safety Restraints 174 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
WARNING: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). •side airbags and Safety Canopy. Refer toSeat-mounted side airbag systemandSafety Canopysystemlater in this chapter. •one or more impact and safing sensors. •driver and front passenger safety belt pretensioner •a readiness light and tone. •diagnostic module. •the electrical wiring which connects the components. •Front passenger sensing system. Refer toFront passenger sensing systemlater in this chapter. •“Passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp. Refer to Front passenger sensing systemlater 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 and the airbag ignitors. 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, Seating and Safety Restraints 175 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
•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, •a child or a small person occupies the front passenger seat. When the passenger airbag off light is illuminated, the passenger side airbag may be disabled to avoid the risk of airbag deployment injuries. 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 on the instrument panel above the radio or navigation screen. 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. Seating and Safety Restraints 176 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
•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. 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 WARNING:Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12 and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position. 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. Seating and Safety Restraints 177 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
WARNING: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. ObjectsPass Airbag Off Indicator LightPassenger Airbag Small (i.e. three-ring binder, small purse, bottled water)Unlit Disabled Medium (i.e. heavy briefcase, fully packed luggage)Lit Disabled Empty seat, or small to 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. Seating and Safety Restraints 178 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
WARNING: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 two 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. Seating and Safety Restraints 179 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)
WARNING: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. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: •The readiness light (same light for front and side airbag system) will either flash or stay lit. •The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on. •A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired. If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision. Seat-mounted side airbag system WARNING:Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision. WARNING:Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident. WARNING:Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback. Seating and Safety Restraints 180 2010 Taurus(500) Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing USA(fus)