child restraint Mercury Villager 1997 Owner's Manuals

Seating and Safety Restraints
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Important Safety Belt Information
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[SS00700(ALL)05/96]
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and your
passengers in case of a collision. In most states and in Canada,
the law requires their use.
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[SS00800(ALL)02/96]
Safety belts provide best restraint when:
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[SS00900(ALL)02/96]
n
the seatback is upright
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[SS01000(ALL)02/96]
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the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
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[SS01100(ALL)02/96]
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the lap belt is snug and low on the hips
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[SS01200(ALL)02/96]
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the shoulder belt is snug against the chest
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[SS01300(ALL)02/96]
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the knees are straight forward
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[SS01400(ALL)02/96]
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a warning
light may come on and a chime may sound. SeeSafety Belt
Warning Light and Chimein theInstrumentationchapter.
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[SS01900(ALL)02/96]
See the following sections in this chapter for directions on how
to properly use these safety belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for
Childrenin this chapter for special instructions about using
safety belts for children.
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138
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Automatic locking mode
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In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will be
automatically locked and will 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:
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[SS11163(ALL)01/96]
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A tight lap/shoulder belt on the occupant.
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Child safety seat installation.
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RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers should never be
placed in the front seats.
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[SS11190(ALL)01/96]
This modemust be usedwhen installing a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat and rear outboard seats where dual
locking retractors are provided.
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[SS11200(ALL)01/96]
To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the
automatic locking mode, perform the following steps:
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[SS11210(ALL)02/96]1.
Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.
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[SS11220(ALL)01/96]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 is heard. At this time, the belt retractor is in
the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).
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[SS11230(ALL)02/96]3.
A clicking sound will continue to be heard as the belt is
allowed to retract. This indicates that the retractor is in the
automatic locking mode.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
139
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NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled
and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will
switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking
mode. See the detailed instructions underSafety Seats
for Childrenin this chapter.
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Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment
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Driver and right front passenger
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You can adjust the shoulder belt height to one of five (5)
positions.
[SS11280(ALL)05/96]
To adjust the belt down, pinch the release button and slide the
adjuster down. To adjust the belt up, pinch the release button
and slide the adjuster up.
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[SS11285(ALL)05/96]
Make sure the adjuster is firmly in one of the five positions. The
belt should be adjusted up or down until the belt rests across
the middle of your shoulder.
[SS11288(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0040317-A
The shoulder belt height adjuster
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146
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Safety Belt Maintenance
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Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that
they work properly and are not damaged.
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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.
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Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)
[SS13205(ALL)06/96]
THE SYSTEM MUST BE INSPECTED 10 YEARS AFTER DATE
OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ON THE CERTIFICATION
LABEL, or if the ªairbagº lamp does not go on during ignition,
flashes intermittently, or remains on.
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Important Air Bag Precautions
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Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint system
designed to work with the safety belts to help protect you and
your right front seat passenger in the event of certain collisions
described in section ªHow Does the Air Bag Supplemental
System Work?º
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148
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Children and Air Bags
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NOTE: For additional important safety information on the
proper use of seat belts, child seats, and infant seats,
please read the entire Safety Restraints chapter in this
owner guide.
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RWARNING
Children should always wear their safety belts. Failure to
follow these instructions may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
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How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
Work?
[SS13320(ALL)05/96]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System is designed to
activate when the vehicle is in a collision similar to hitting a
fixed barrier head on at 8-14 mph. 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.
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If the vehicle is in a moderate or severe frontal collision, the
system is activated and the air bags inflate rapidly. After the air
bag inflates, it will quickly deflate. After the air bag
deployment, you may notice a smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This is normal. The residue may
consist of cornstarch or talcum powder (which is used to
lubricate the air bag) or sodium compounds, such as sodium
carbonates (e.g. baking soda) that result from the combustion
process that inflates the air bag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which may irritate the skin and eyes,
but none of the residue is toxic. The Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System will reduce, but not eliminate all injuries in an
accident.
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154
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Safety Restraints for Children
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In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law to use safety
restraints for children. If small children ride in your vehicle Ð
this generally includes children who are four years old or
younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or less Ð you must
put them in safety seats that are made specially for children.
Safety belts alone do not provide maximum protection for these
children. Check your local and state laws for specific
requirements.
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RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot
protect the child from injury in a collision.
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RWARNING
To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit
where they can be properly restrained.
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RWARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside
or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in
these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
155
[SS14150(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Whenever possible, put children in one of the rear seats
in your vehicle. Accident statistics indicate that children
are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats than
in the front seats.
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RWARNING
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions
included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If
you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the
child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.
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RWARNING
Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that
has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a
small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you
place a child anywhere near them.
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[SS14930(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.
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156
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Safety Seats for Children
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Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight
of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing and using the safety seat.
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Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
[SS15320(ALL)05/96]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct
safety belt buckle for that seating position, make sure the
tongue is securely fastened in the buckle and there is tension in
the belt. For a shoulder/lap belt combination with a sliding
tongue, make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking
mode. For more information, seeUsing the Automatic Locking
Mode Retractor to Secure a Child Safety Seatlater in this chapter.
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[SS15321(ALL)05/96]
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
157
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RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers should never be
placed in the front seats.
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[SS15327(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If you do not properly secure the safety seat, the child
occupying the seat may be injured during a collision or
sudden stop. An unsecured safety seat could also injure
other passengers.
[SS15330(ALL)01/96]
The passenger side quick-release second row bucket seat is
adjustable along a track and may be adjusted very close to the
front passenger seat to allow easier entry and exit to third row
seats.
[SS15335(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
The quick-release seat must be adjusted to the rearmost
position when using an untethered forward-facing child
safety seat.
[SS15340(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
The third row seat must be adjusted to the rearmost
position when using an untethered forward facing child
safety seat.
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158
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RWARNING
Always keep the buckle release button pointing upward
and away from the child seat, with the tongue between
the child seat and the release button as shown in the
following illustration.
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[SS15360(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow all instructions on the proper use of
child seats or the vehicle restraint systems can result in
serious injury or death in the event of a sudden stop or
collision.
[SS15420(ALL)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0040316-A
Safety belt buckle placement for child seats
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