airbag LINCOLN AVIATOR 2004 Owners Manual

After any vehicle collision, the combination lap and shoulder belt
system at all passenger seating positions must be checked by a
qualified technician to verify that the ªautomatic locking retractorº
feature for child seats is still functioning properly, in addition to other
checks for proper seat belt system function.
BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if
the safety belt assembly ªautomatic locking retractorº feature or
any other safety belt function is not operating properly. In addition, all
safety belts should be checked for proper function. Failure to replace
the belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in
collisions.
Safety belt pretensioner
Your vehicle is equipped with safety belt pretensioners at the driver and
right front passenger seating positions.
The safety belt pretensioner removes some slack from the safety belt
system at the start of a crash. The safety belt pretensioner uses the
same crash sensor system as the front airbags and Safety Canopyy
system. When the safety belt pretensioner deploys, the lap and shoulder
belt are tightened.
When the Safety Canopyysystem and/or the front airbags are activated,
the safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger
seating positions will be activated when the respective seatbelt is
properly buckled.
The driver and the right front passenger seat belt system
(including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be
replaced if the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in
deployment of front air bags or Safety Canopyyand safety belt
pretensioners.
Refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in this chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
168

Reasons given... Consider...
ªBelts are uncomfortableº We design our safety belts to enhance
comfort. If you are uncomfortable -
try different positions for the safety
belt upper anchorage and seatback
which should be as upright as
possible; this can improve comfort.
ªI was in a hurryºPrime time for an accident.
BeltMinder reminds us to take a few
seconds to buckle up.
ªSafety belts don't workºSafety belts,when used properly,
reduce risk of deathto front seat
occupants by45% in cars,and by
60% in light trucks.
ªTraffic is lightºNearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in
single-vehicle crashes,many when
no other vehicles are around.
ªBelts wrinkle my clothesº Possibly, but a serious crash can do
much more than wrinkle your clothes,
particularly if you are unbelted.
ªThe people I'm with don't
wear beltsºSet the example, teen deaths occur 4
times more often in vehicles with
TWO or MORE people. Children and
younger brothers/sisters imitate
behavior they see.
ªI have an air bagº Air bags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
ªI'd rather be thrown clearº Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN'T ªPICK OUR
CRASHº.
Seating and Safety Restraints
171

Children and air bags
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.
Air bags can kill or injure a
child in a child seat.
NEVERplace a rear-facing child
seat in front of an active air bag. If
you must use a forward-facing
child seat in the front seat, move
the seat all the way back.
How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work?
The air bag SRS is designed to
activate when the vehicle sustains
longitudinal deceleration sufficient
to cause the sensors to close an
electrical circuit that initiates air
bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags 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 driver and passenger 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.
Seating and Safety Restraints
176

How does the Safety CanopyYsystem work?
The design and development of the
Safety Canopyysystem 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 the Safety
Canopyy).
The Safety Canopyysystem
consists of the following:
²An inflatable nylon curtain with a
gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of the vehicle).
²A headliner that will flex to open
above the side doors to allow Safety Canopyydeployment.
²The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
²Two side crash sensors mounted at the base of the B-pillar (one on
each side).
²Two side crash sensors located at the c-pillar behind the rear doors
(one on each side).
²Roll over sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).
The Safety Canopyysystem, in combination with seat belts, can help
reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact
collision or rollover event.
Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second or third row seats (if equipped). The Safety Canopyywill
not interfere with children restrained using a properly installed child or
booster seat because it is designed to inflate downward from the
headliner above the doors along the side window openings.
The Safety Canopyysystem is designed to activate when the vehicle
sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the side crash sensor to
close an electrical circuit that initiates Safety Canopyyinflation or when
a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
Seating and Safety Restraints
179

Interior style
Cell phone holders
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Interior trim kits
Leather wrapped steering wheels
Scuff plates
Lifestyle
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Engine block heaters and blankets
Rear seat entertainment systems
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
Airbag anti-theft locks
First aid and safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Locking gas cap
Navigation systems
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
Accessories
322