User manual FORD WINDSTAR-1997

[. . . ] Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 217 223 247 279 333 339 341 351 357 367 388 Roadside Emergencies . Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accessories . Quick Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index . [. . . ] Never secure rear-facing child seats or infant carriers in the front seat. The force of the rapidly inflating passenger air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback, armrests or console. Rear-facing infant seats must always be secured in the rear seat. WARNING Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag cover that may come in contact with an inflating air bag. Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision. 181 For further information about the proper mounting of equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford's brochure entitled Some Important Information About Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System which can be obtained by calling Helm Inc. For additional important safety information on the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other sections of this chapter of the Owner Guide, especially sections entitled Safety Belts for Children and Safety Seats for Children. How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System Work? The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of the driver and passenger air bags, impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the electrical wiring which connects the components. The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel and is indicated by the letters "SRS. " The right front passenger seat air bag is in the upper right-hand section of the instrument panel ledge above the glove compartment. The letters "SRS" appear there. Both air bags are designed to stay out of sight until they are activated. WARNING Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. 182 Seating and Safety Restraints If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact and activates the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight) head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the air bag. When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate rapidly, filling with non-toxic nitrogen gas in a fraction of a second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes. The whole process takes place in a matter of seconds. WARNING Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not try to touch them after inflation. 183 Inflated driver-side air bag 184 Seating and Safety Restraints Inflated passenger-side air bag WARNING The air bag will inflate only once. The system is designed to function on a one-time-only basis. If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If the air bag is not replaced, this will increase the risk of injury in a subsequent collision. To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness lamp and a warning tone. [. . . ] Safety information relating to automotive Safety restraints adjusting the safety belts . Safety seats for children and air bags . 242 236 314 178 178 178 330 179 186 200 169 170 178 179 179 12 200 211 200 188 200 200 200 211 148 200 332 154 149 383 Servicing your vehicle precautions when servicing . Shoulder and lap belts (see Safety restraints) . [. . . ]