FORD WINDSTAR 1998 1.G Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints
161
[SS13900(ALL)12/95]
In addition to safety belt anchorages in the floor and roof
structures, the second row bench seat has a detachable safety
belt anchor mounted to the right window side of the seat. The
safety belt should always remain attached to this anchor except
when removing this seat.
[SS14300(ALL)12/95]
When removing the second row bench seat:
[SS14400(ALL)12/95]1.
Disengage the safety belt from the seat by inserting a key or
small screwdriver into the slot provided on the detachable
anchor (see Figure 1). When this shoulder belt assembly is
free of the seat, allow the retractor to wind up the slack in
the belt.
[SS14500(ALL)09/96]2.
Using the clip attached to the end of the shoulder belt, clip
the end of the belt to the stationary portion of the shoulder
belt coming out of the trim (see Figure 2). The end of the
shoulder beltmustbe clipped in order to keep it from
striking anything during vehicle operation.
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162
[SS14600(ALL)09/96]
27-1/2 pica
art:0050169-G
Figure 1: Second row bench seat detachable anchor
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Seating and Safety Restraints
163
[SS14700(ALL)09/96]
24 pica art:0050170-E
Figure 2: Securing the detachable shoulder belt
[SS14800(ALL)07/96]
Refer to ªSeatsº in this section for information on removing and
installing seats.
[SS14900(ALL)12/95]
After re-installing the second row bench seat, make sure that the
safety belt is not twisted before you insert it into the detachable
anchor. A twisted safety belt may cause the retractor to work
improperly. Then insert the detachable anchor tongue into the
detachable anchor until you hear a ªsnapº and feel the latch
engage.
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164
*
[SS15000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When reinstalling a rear seat in your vehicle it must be
placed in its original position. Improper installation of
the seat will prevent correct use of the safety belts and
could increase the risk of injury. Refer to the warning
label on the seat belt.
[SS15100(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on
the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety
belt for front passenger and rear seat window passengers.
[SS15200(ALL)12/95]
Dual locking mode retractors operate in two ways:
[SS15300(ALL)12/95]
Vehicle Sensitive (Emergency) Locking Mode
[SS15400(ALL)12/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will allow the
occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard
braking, hard cornering or impacts of approximately five mph
(8 km/h) or more.
[SS15500(ALL)12/95]
Automatic Locking Mode
*
[SS15600(ALL)08/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will be
automatically locked and remain locked when the combination
lap/shoulder safety belt is buckled, and does not allow the
occupant freedom of movement. This mode provides the
following:
*
[SS15700(ALL)01/96]
n
A tight lap/shoulder belt fit on occupant
[SS15800(ALL)12/95]
n
Child seat or infant carrier restraint
[SS15900(ALL)12/95]
Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seat.
[SS16000(ALL)12/95]
This modemust be usedwhen installing a child seat on the
front passenger seat and rear window seats where dual locking
retractors are provided.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
165
*
[SS16100(ALL)01/96]
To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the
automatic locking mode, perform the following steps:
*
[SS16200(ALL)02/96]1.
Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.
*
[SS16300(ALL)12/95]2.
Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward
until all of the belt is extracted, and when allowed to retract,
a clicking sound will be heard. At this time, the belt retractor
is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).
[SS16400(ALL)12/95]3.
A clicking sound will be heard as the belt is allowed to
retract. This indicates that the retractor is in the automatic
locking mode.
[SS16500(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled
and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will
switch back to the vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode. See detailed instructions under Safety
Seats for Children later in this chapter.
%*
[SS16600(ALL)12/95]
Lap Belts
*
[SS16700(ALL)12/95]
The lap belt in the center of the rear seat does not adjust
automatically. You must adjust it to fit snugly and as low as
possible around your hips. Do not wear it around your waist.
%*
[SS16800(ALL)01/96]
If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it and tip the belt
tongue at a right angle to the belt. Pull the belt tongue over
your lap until it reaches the buckle.
*
[SS16900(ALL)01/96]
If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the loose end of the
webbing until the belt fits snugly.
[SS17000(ALL)12/95]
To unfasten the belt, push the release button on the buckle.
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166
[SS17100(ALL)12/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0050085-A
Unfastening the lap belt in the center rear seating position
%*
[SS17200(ALL)03/96]
Safety Belt Maintenance
*
[SS17300(ALL)02/96]
Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that
they work properly and are not damaged.
*
[SS17400(ALL)03/96]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front
seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if so equipped),
child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if so equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was
minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not
show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not
need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage
or improper operation is noted.
%*
[SS17700(ALL)02/96]
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
*
[SS17800(ALL)09/96]
For some people, the safety belt may be too short even when it
is fully extended. You can add about eight inches (20 cm) to the
belt length with a safety belt extension assembly (part number
16611C22). Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from
your dealer.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
167
*
[SS17900(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions will affect the
performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of
personal injury.
%*
[SS18000(ALL)05/96]
Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)
*
[SS18100(ALL)05/96]
The driver and right front passenger air bags are Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS), provided at these seating positions in
addition to the lap/shoulder belt, and are designed to
supplement the protection provided to properly belted
occupants in moderate to severe frontal collisions. The
supplemental air bag system does not provide restraint to the
lower body.
%*
[SS18200(ALL)05/96]
The Importance of Wearing Safety Belts
*
[SS18400(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should
always wear their safety belts, even when an air bag
Supplemental Restraint System is provided.
*
[SS18500(ALL)05/96]
There are four very important reasons to use safety belts even
with an air bag system. Use your safety belts to:
*
[SS18600(ALL)05/96]
n
help keep you in the proper position (away from the air bag)
when it inflates
*
[SS18700(ALL)05/96]
n
reduce the risk of harm in rollover, side or rear impact
collisions, because an air bag is not designed to inflate in
such situations
*
[SS18800(ALL)05/96]
n
reduce the risk of harm in frontal collisions that are not
severe enough to activate the supplemental air bag
*
[SS18900(ALL)05/96]
n
reduce the risk of being thrown from your vehicle
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168
%*
[SS19000(ALL)05/96]
The Importance of Being Properly Seated
*
[SS19100(ALL)05/96]
In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremely fast to help
provide additional protection for you. In order to do this, the
air bag must inflate with considerable force. If you are not
seated in a normal riding position with your back against the
seatback, the air bag may not protect you properly and could
possibly hurt you as it inflates.
*
[SS19200(ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag.
Air bags deploy with great force, faster than the blink of an eye.
Front passengers, especially children and small adults, must
never sit on the front edge of the seat, stand near the glove
compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over near the air
bag cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit
with their backs against the seatback, move the seat to the most
rearward position if possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should use child or
infant seats.
%*
[SS19300(ALL)07/96]
RWARNING
When installing forward-facing child seats in the front
seat, always move the passenger seat as far back from the
instrument panel as possible. Never install rear-facing
child seats or rear-facing infant seats in the front seat.
*
[SS19400(ALL)05/96]
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.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
169
*
[SS19500(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
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.
*
[SS19600(ALL)05/96]
For further information about the proper mounting of
equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford's
brochure entitledSome Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be obtained by calling
Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
*
[SS19700(ALL)05/96]
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
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats for Children.
%*
[SS19800(ALL)05/96]
How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
Work?
*
[SS19900(ALL)05/96]
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.
[SS20000(ALL)04/96]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel and is
indicated by the letters ªSRS.º 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 ªSRSº appear
there. Both air bags are designed to stay out of sight until they
are activated.
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170
*
[SS20100(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
[SS20200(ALL)04/96]
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.
*
[SS20300(ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[SS20400(ALL)07/96]
RWARNING
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation.
Do not touch them after inflation.
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