Get Seating and Safety Restraints -> AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) Guide for Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

Seating and Safety Restraints

AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

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.

Airbags DO NOT inflate slowly;

there is a risk of injury from a

deploying airbag.

WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver,

should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air

bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is provided.

WARNING: When possible, all children 12 years old and under

should be properly restrained in a rear seating position.

WARNING: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance of at least 10 inches

(25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and the driver airbag module.

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WARNING: Never place your arm over the airbag module as a

deploying airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other

injuries.

To properly position yourself away from the airbag:

• 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.

WARNING: Do not put anything on or over the airbag module.

Placing objects on or over the airbag inflation area may cause

those objects to be propelled by the airbag into your face and torso

causing serious injury.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the

airbag supplemental restraint systems or its fuses. Contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: 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 airbag 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.

WARNING: Additional equipment may affect the performance of

the airbag sensors increasing the risk of injury.

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Children and airbags

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.

WARNING: Airbags can kill

or injure a child in a child

seat. NEVER place a rear-facing

child seat in front of an active

airbag. If you must use a

forward-facing child seat in the

front seat, move the seat all the

way back.

How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work?

The airbag SRS is designed to

activate when the vehicle sustains

longitudinal deceleration sufficient

to cause the sensors to close an

electrical circuit that initiates airbag

inflation.

The fact that the airbags 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 airbags are designed to activate in frontal and

near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless

the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.

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The airbags inflate and deflate

rapidly upon activation. After airbag

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

airbag. 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 airbag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary

hearing loss. Because airbags 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 airbag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be

properly restrained as far away from the airbag module as possible while

maintaining vehicle control.

WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after

inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

WARNING: 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 airbag modules (which include the inflators and

airbags).

• seat-mounted side airbags. Refer to Seat-mounted side airbag system

later in this chapter

• Safety Canopy௡ System. Refer to Safety Canopy௡ System later in this

chapter.

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• one or more impact and safing sensors.

• a readiness light and tone.

• diagnostic module.

• and the electrical wiring which connects the components.

• Front passenger sensing system. Refer to Front passenger sensing

system later in this chapter.

• “Passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp. Refer to

Front passenger sensing system later in this chapter.

The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the

supplemental airbag electrical system wiring (including the impact

sensors), the system wiring, the airbag system readiness light, the airbag

back up power and the airbag ignitors.

Front passenger sensing system

The front passenger sensing system is designed to meet the regulatory

requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208

and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal

airbag under certain conditions.

The front passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of

the front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to

detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the

front passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or

disabled (will not inflate).

The front passenger sensing system will disable (will not inflate) the

front passenger’s frontal airbag if:

• the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in

the front seat.

• the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant

seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing

child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s

instructions.

• the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat.

• a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of

time.

When the passenger airbag off light is illuminated, the passenger side

airbag may be disabled to avoid the risk of airbag deployment injuries.

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The front passenger sensing system

uses a Љpassenger airbag offЉ or

Љpass airbag offЉ indicator which will

illuminate and stay lit to remind you

that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled. The indicator lamp is

located in the center stack of the instrument panel above the radio.

Note: The indicator lamp will illuminate for a short period of time when

the ignition is turned to the on position to confirm it is functional.

When the front passenger seat is not occupied (empty seat) or in the

event that the front passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate), the

indicator lamp will be unlit.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not

inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag when a rear facing infant

seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected.

• When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate)

the front passenger frontal airbag, the indicator lamp will illuminate

and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is

disabled.

• If the child restraint has been installed and the indicator lamp is not

lit, then turn the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the

vehicle and reinstall the restraint following the child restraint

manufacturer’s instructions.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate)

the front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a

person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.

• When the front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger

frontal airbag (may inflate), the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the

Љpassenger airbag offЉ or Љpass airbag offЉ indicator lamp is lit, it is

possible that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:

• Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the

full upright position.

• Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,

with the person’s legs comfortably extended.

• Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for

about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person

and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.

• If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be

advised to ride in the rear seat.

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Pass Airbag Off

Occupant

Passenger Airbag

Indicator Lamp

Empty seat

Small child in child

safety seat or booster

Unlit

Lit

Disabled

Small child with safety Lit

belt buckled or

unbuckled

Disabled

Enabled

Adult

Unlit

WARNING: Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children

12 and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating

position.

After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it’s

very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated

occupant sits upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered on the

seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor. Sitting

improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event. For

example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward,

leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of

injury during a crash is greatly increased.

WARNING: Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat

back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion

and affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system, resulting

in serious injury or death in a crash.

Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.

The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects

placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front

passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the

passenger airbag is disabled, the Љpass airbag offЉ lamp may or may not

be illuminated according to the table below.

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Pass Airbag Off

Passenger Airbag

Indicator Lamp

Objects

Small (i.e. three-ring

binder, small purse,

bottled water)

Medium (i.e. heavy

briefcase, fully packed

luggage)

Empty seat, or small

to medium object with

safety belt buckled

Unlit

Disabled

Lit

If you think that the status of the passenger airbag off indicator lamp is

incorrect, check for the following:

• Objects lodged underneath the seat

• Objects between the seat cushion and the center console (if

equipped)

• Objects hanging off the seat back

• Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket (if equipped)

• Objects placed on the occupant’s lap

• Cargo interference with the seat

• Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat

• Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat

• Check to see if the clear objects by pass seat warning is displaying in

the message center. Refer to Message center in the Instrument

Cluster chapter.

The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated

occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the front passenger sensing

system. The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or

lighter due to the conditions described in the list above.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:

Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket (if equipped) or

hang objects off seat back if a child is in the front passenger seat.

Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between

the seat and the center console (if equipped).

Check the “passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp for

proper airbag Status.

Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front

passenger seat sensing system.

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In case there is a problem with the

front passenger sensing system, the

airbag readiness lamp in the

instrument cluster will stay lit.

If the airbag readiness lamp is lit, do the following:

The driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects that

may be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering

with the seat.

If objects are lodged and/or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take

the following steps to remove the obstruction:

• Pull the vehicle over.

• Turn the vehicle off.

• Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged

underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.

• Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).

• Restart the vehicle.

• Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness lamp is

no longer illuminated

• If the airbag readiness lamp remains illuminated, this may or may/not

be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.

DO NOT attempt to repair or service the system; contact your authorized

dealer as soon as possible.

If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to

accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer

Relationship Center at the phone number shown in the Customer

Assistance chapter of this Owner’s Guide.

WARNING: Any alteration/modification to the front passenger

seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing

system.

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 Warning lights and

chimes section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance

of the airbag is not required.

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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, contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible. Unless serviced, the system may

not function properly in the event of a collision.

Seat-mounted side airbag system

WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or

near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front

seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a

deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the

risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of

accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side

airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag

could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the

airbag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an

airbag. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear

their safety belts even when an airbag SRS is provided.

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How does the side airbag system work?

The design and development of the side airbag 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.

The side airbag system consists of

the following:

• An inflatable bag (airbag) with an

inflator concealed behind the

outboard bolster of the driver and

front passenger seatbacks.

• A special seat cover designed to

allow airbag deployment.

• The same warning light,

electronic control and diagnostic

unit as used for the front airbags.

• Crash sensors located on the

front doors and C pillars (one

sensor on each pillar on each side

of the vehicle).

Side airbags, in combination with

safety belts, can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a

significant side impact collision.

The side airbags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the

front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the airbag on the side affected by

the collision will be inflated. The airbag was designed to inflate between

the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided

occupants in side impact collisions.

The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral

deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit

that initiates airbag inflation.

The fact that the airbags 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. Side airbags are designed

to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or

near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral

deceleration.

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WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after

inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

WARNING: If the side

airbag has deployed, the

airbag will not function again.

The side airbag system

(including the seat) must be

inspected and serviced by an

authorized dealer. If the airbag

is not replaced, the unrepaired

area will increase the risk of injury

in a collision.

Safety Canopyா System

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The Safety

Canopy௡ could injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

WARNING: 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௡. Contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible.

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WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver

should always wear their safety belts even when an airbag SRS

and Safety Canopy௡ System is provided.

WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place

objects in the deployment path of the inflatable Safety Canopy௡.

How does the Safety Canopyா 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 curtain with an

inflator 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 front doors (one on each side

of the vehicle).

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

(one on each side of the vehicle).

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

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The Safety Canopy௡ System, in combination with safety 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.

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.

WARNING: Several Safety Canopy௡ System components get hot

after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

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WARNING: 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 an authorized dealer. 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 Airbag readiness

section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the

airbag 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 airbag system) 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 light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible. Unless serviced, the system may

not function properly in the event of a collision or rollover event.

SOS Post-Crash Alert System™

The system automatically flashes the turn signal lamps and sounds the

horn three times at four second intervals in the event of a serious impact

that deploys an airbag (front, side, side curtain or Safety Canopy௡) or

the safety belt pretensioners.

The system can be turned off when any one of the following actions are

taken by the driver or any other person:

• pressing the hazard control button,

• or pressing the panic button on the remote entry transmitter.

The feature will continue to operate until the vehicle runs out of power.

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Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles

(including pretensioners)

Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Airbags 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 Airbag supplemental restraint system

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

Important child restraint precautions

WARNING: Always make sure your child is secured properly in

a device that is appropriate for their height, age and weight.

Child safety restraints must be purchased separately from the vehicle.

Failure to follow these instructions and guidelines may result in an

increased risk of serious injury or death to your child.

WARNING: All children are shaped differently. The

Recommendations for Safety Restraints are based on probable

child height, age and weight thresholds from NHTSA and other safety

organizations or are the minimum requirements of law. Ford

recommends checking with a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety

Technician (CPST) and your pediatrician to make sure your child seat

is appropriate for your child, and is compatible with and properly

installed in the vehicle. To locate a child seat fitting station and CPST

contact the NHTSA toll free at 1-888-327-4236 or on the internet at

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Failure to properly restrain children in safety

seats made especially for their height, age, and weight may result in an

increased risk of serious injury or death to your child.

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Seating and Safety Restraints -> AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) for Your Ford Explorer SUV Fifth Generation (2005-2011)

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