Get Seating and Safety Restraints -> AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

Seating and Safety Restraints

there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety belt

assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle

assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder

belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if

equipped), child safety seat LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching

hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford Motor Company

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.

Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt

assembly under the above conditions could result in severe

personal injuries in the event of a collision.

Refer to Interior in the Cleaning chapter.

AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

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Important SRS precautions

The SRS is designed to work with

the safety belt to help protect the

driver and right front passenger

from certain upper body injuries. Air

bags DO NOT inflate slowly; there is

a risk of injury from a deploying air

bag.

All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always

properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag (SRS) is

provided.

Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back

seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

recommends a minimum distance of at least 25 cm (10 inches)

between an occupant’s chest and the driver air bag module.

Never place your arm over the air bag module as a deploying air

bag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries.

To properly position yourself away from the air bag:

• 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.

Do not put anything on or over the air bag module. Placing

objects on or over the air bag inflation area may cause those

objects to be propelled by the air bag into your face and torso causing

serious injury.

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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag

supplemental restraint systems or its fuses. See your Ford or

Lincoln Mercury dealer.

Modifications to the front end of the vehicle, including frame,

bumper, front end body structure and non-Ford tow hooks may

effect the performance of the air bag sensors increasing the risk of

injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle with anything other

than authorized Ford accessories for your vehicle.

Additional equipment may affect the performance of the air bag

sensors increasing the risk of injury. Please refer to the Body

Builders Layout Book for instructions about the appropriate installation

of additional equipment.

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.

NEVER place 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.

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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. Front air bags 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 air bags inflate and deflate

rapidly upon activation. After air bag

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

air bag. 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 air bag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary

hearing loss. Because air bags 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 air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be

properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while

maintaining vehicle control.

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Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not

touch them after inflation.

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 air bag modules (which include the inflators and

air bags).

• Safety canopy௢ system (if equipped). Refer to Safety canopy௢

system later in this chapter.

• one or more impact and safing sensors.

• a readiness light and tone.

• diagnostic module.

• and the electrical wiring which connects the components.

The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the

supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact

sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air

bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.

Determining if the system is operational

The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to

indicate the condition of the system. Refer to Air bag readiness section

in the Instrument cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is

not required.

A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:

• The readiness light 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 SRS serviced

at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless

serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a

collision.

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Safety Canopyி system (if equipped)

Do not place objects or

mount equipment on or

near the headliner at the siderail

that may come into contact with a

deploying Safety Canopy௢. Failure

to follow these instructions may

increase the risk of personal injury

in the event of a collision.

Do not lean your head on the door. The Safety Canopy௢ could

injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Safety Canopy௢

system, its fuses, the A, B, or C pillar trim, or the headliner on a

vehicle containing a Safety Canopy௢. See your Ford or Lincoln

Mercury dealer.

All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always

wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS and Safety

Canopy௢ system is provided.

To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place objects in the

deployment path of the inflatable Safety Canopy௢.

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How does the Safety Canopyி system work?

The design and development of the

Safety Canopy௢ system 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

Canopy௢).

The Safety Canopy௢ system

consists of the following:

• An inflatable nylon curtain with a

gas generator concealed behind

the headliner and above the doors

(one on each side of the vehicle).

• A headliner that will flex to open

above the side doors to allow Safety Canopy௢ deployment.

• The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used

for the front airbags.

• Two side crash sensors mounted at the base of the B-pillar (one on

each side).

• Two side crash sensors located at the c-pillar behind the rear doors

(one on each side).

• Roll over sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).

The Safety Canopy௢ system, 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 Canopy௢ will

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 Canopy௢ system 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 Canopy௢ inflation or when

a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.

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The Safety Canopy௢ is mounted to the roof side-rail sheet metal, behind

the headliner, above the first and second row seats. In certain lateral

collisions or rollover events, the Safety Canopy௢ system will be

activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy௢ is

designed to inflate between the side window area and occupants to

further enhance protection provided in side impact collisions and rollover

events.

The fact that the Safety Canopy௢ system did not activate 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

Safety Canopy௢ is designed to inflate in certain side impact collisions or

rollover events, not in rear impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions,

unless the collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover

likelihood.

Several Safety Canopy௢

system components get hot

after inflation. Do not touch them

after inflation.

If the Safety Canopy௢ system has deployed, the Safety

Canopy௢ will not function again. The Safety Canopy௢

system (including the A, B and C pillar trim) must be inspected

and serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the

vehicle service manual. If the Safety Canopy௢ is not replaced, the

unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Determining if the system is operational

The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to

indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness

section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the

air bag is not required.

Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the

following:

• The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either

flash or stay lit.

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• 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 light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced

at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless

serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision

or rollover event.

Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles (including

pretensioners)

See your local dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE

disposed of by qualified personnel.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN

See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety

restraints for children. Also see Air bag supplemental restraint system

(SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags.

Important child restraint precautions

You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.

and Canada. If small children (generally children who are four years old

or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less) ride in your vehicle,

you must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check

your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements

regarding the safety of children in your vehicle. When possible, always

place children under age 12 in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident

statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the

rear seating positions than in the front seating position.

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.

Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or

child restraint you might use.

Children and safety belts

If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat. Children

who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your child safety

seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts.

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Seating and Safety Restraints -> AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) for Your Ford Explorer SUV Third Generation (2002-2005)

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