Get Supplementary Restraints System Guide for Ford Fiesta 4 Door Sixth Generation (2009-2016)

Supplementary Restraints System

The airbags are a supplemental restraint

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

system and are designed to work with the

safety belts 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.

WARNINGS

Airbags do not inflate slowly or

gently, and the risk of injury from a

deploying airbag is the greatest close

to the trim covering the airbag module.

Note: You will hear a loud bang and see a

cloud of harmless powdery residue if an

airbag deploys. This is normal.

All occupants of your vehicle,

including the driver, should always

properly wear their safety belts, even

when an airbag supplemental restraint

system is provided. Failure to properly wear

your safety belt could seriously increase

the risk of injury or death.

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 (for example, 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.

Always transport children 12 years

old and under in the back seat and

always properly use appropriate

child restraints. Failure to follow this could

seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

Never place your arm over the airbag

module as a deploying airbag can

result in serious arm fractures or

other injuries.

While the system is designed to help

reduce serious injuries, contact with a

deploying airbag may also cause abrasions

or swelling. Temporary hearing loss is also

a possibility as a result of the noise

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 upon which

the child seat is installed all the way back.

associated with a deploying airbag.

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

Do not attempt to service, repair, or

modify the airbag supplemental

restraint systems or its fuses as you

could be seriously injured or killed. Contact

your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

occupants be properly restrained as far

away from the airbag module as possible

while maintaining vehicle control.

Several airbag system components

get hot after inflation. Do not touch

them after inflation as this may result

in serious injury.

Routine maintenance of the airbags is not

required.

If the airbag has deployed, the airbag

will not function again and must be

replaced immediately. If the airbag

is not replaced, the unrepaired area will

increase the risk of injury in a crash.

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Supplementary Restraints System

ProperDriverandFrontPassenger

Seating Adjustment

DRIVER AND PASSENGER

AIRBAGS

WARNING

WARNINGS

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA)

recommends a minimum distance

of at least 10 inches (25 centimeters)

between an occupant’s chest and the

driver airbag module.

Never place your arm or any objects

over an airbag module. Placing your

arm over a deploying airbag can

result in serious arm fractures or other

injuries. Objects placed 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.

To properly position yourself away from

the airbag:

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 upon which

the child seat is installed all the way back.

•

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.

After all occupants have adjusted their

seats and put on safety belts, it is 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.

E151127

The driver and front passenger airbags will

deploy during significant frontal and near

frontal crashes.

Children and Airbags

WARNING

The driver and passenger front airbag

system consists of:

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 upon which

the child seat is installed all the way back.

•

Driver and passenger airbag modules.

Front passenger sensing system.

· Crash sensors and monitoring

system with readiness indicator.

See Crash Sensors and Airbag

Indicator (page 41).

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Supplementary Restraints System

WARNINGS

and the center console. 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.

Any alteration or modification to the

front passenger seat may affect the

performance of the front passenger

sensing system.

E142846

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 crash.

This system works with sensors that are

part of the front passenger’s seat and

safety belt to detect the presence of a

properly-seated occupant and determine

if the front passenger’s frontal airbag

should be enabled (may inflate) or not.

FRONT PASSENGER SENSING

SYSTEM

WARNINGS

Even with Advanced Restraints

Systems, children 12 and under

should be properly restrained in a

rear seating position. Failure to follow this

could seriously increase the risk of injury or

death.

E157152

The front passenger sensing system uses

a pass airbag off indicator which will

illuminate and stay lit to remind you that

the front passenger frontal airbag is

disabled.

Sitting improperly out of position or

with the seat back reclined too far

can take off weight from the seat

The indicator lamp is located at the top

center of the instrument panel.

cushion and affect the decision of the front

passenger sensing system, resulting in

serious injury or death in a crash.

Note: When the ignition is first tuned on,

the indicator lamp will illuminate for a short

period of time to confirm it is functional.

To reduce the risk of possible serious

injury: Do not stow objects in seat

back map pocket 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

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. Even with this technology,

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Supplementary Restraints System

parents are STRONGLY encouraged to

•

When the front passenger sensing

always properly restrain children in the rear

seat. The sensor also turns off the

passenger front airbag and seat-mounted

side airbag when the passenger seat is

empty.

system enables the front passenger

frontal airbag (may inflate), the

indicator lamp will be unlit and stay

unlit.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front

passenger’s seat, but the airbag off

indicator lamp is lit, it is possible that the

person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If

this happens:

•

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

•

Turn the vehicle off and ask the person

to place the seat back in the full upright

position.

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

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.

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.

•

If the indicator lamp remains lit even

after this, the person should be advised

to ride in the rear seat.

Occupant

Passenger airbag OFF indic-

ator

Passenger airbag

Empty

Child

Unlit

Lit

Disabled

Enabled

Adult

Unlit

Note: When the passenger airbag off light

is illuminated, the passenger (seat

mounted) side airbag may be disabled to

avoid the risk of airbag deployment injuries.

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.

After all occupants have adjusted their

seats and put on safety belts, it is 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

If you think that the status of the passenger

airbag off indicator lamp is incorrect, check

for the following:

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Supplementary Restraints System

•

Objects lodged underneath the seat

•

Wait at least two minutes and verify

that the airbag readiness light is no

longer illuminated.

Objects between the seat cushion and

the center console

If the airbag readiness light remains

illuminated, this may or may not be a

problem due to the front passenger

sensing system.

•

Objects hanging off the seat back

Objects stowed in the seat back map

pocket

•

Objects placed on the occupant's lap

Cargo interference with the seat

Do not attempt to repair or service the

system. Take your vehicle immediately to

an authorized dealer.

Other passengers pushing or pulling on

the seat

If it is necessary to modify an advanced

front airbag system to accommodate a

person with disabilities, contact the Ford

Customer Relationship Center. See

Getting the Services You Need (page

162).

•

Rear passenger feet and knees resting

or pushing on the seat

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.

SIDE AIRBAGS

WARNINGS

Make sure the front passenger

sensing system is operating

Do not place objects or mount

equipment on or near the airbag

properly. See Crash Sensors

and Airbag Indicator (page 41).

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 crash.

If the airbag readiness light is lit, do the

following:

The driver and adult passengers should

check for objects lodged underneath the

front passenger seat, or cargo interfering

with the seat.

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.

If there are lodged objects, or cargo is

interfering with the seat, take the following

steps to remove the obstruction:

Do not lean your head on the door.

The side airbag could injure you as it

deploys from the side of the

seatback.

•

Pull the vehicle over.

Turn the vehicle off.

Driver and adult passengers should

check for any objects lodged

Do not attempt to service, repair, or

modify the airbag, its fuses or the

seat cover on a seat containing an

airbag as you could be seriously injured or

killed. Contact your authorized dealer as

soon as possible.

underneath the front passenger seat

or cargo interfering with the seat.

•

Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).

Restart the vehicle.

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Supplementary Restraints System

The design and development of the side

WARNINGS

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.

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 crash.

The side airbags are located on the

DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG(IfEquipped)

outboard side of the seatbacks of the front

seats. In certain sideways crashes, the

airbag on the side affected by the crash

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 crashes.

A driver’s knee airbag is located under or

within the instrument panel. During a crash,

the restraints control module may activate

the driver’s knee airbag based on crash

severity and occupant conditions. Under

certain crash and occupant conditions, the

driver’s knee airbag may deploy but the

driver’s front airbag may not activate. As

with front and side airbags, it is important

to be properly seated and restrained to

reduce the risk of death or serious injury.

Make sure the knee airbag is

operating properly. See Crash

Sensors and Airbag Indicator

(page 41).

E152533

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS

The system consists of the following:

•

A label or embossed side panel

indicating that side airbags are fitted

to your vehicle.

WARNINGS

Do not place objects or mount

equipment on or near the headliner

at the siderail that may come into

contact with a deploying side curtain

airbag. Failure to follow these instructions

may increase the risk of personal injury in

the event of a crash.

•

Side airbags located inside the driver

and front passenger seatbacks.

Front passenger sensing system.

·Crash sensors and monitoring

system with readiness indicator.

See Crash Sensors and Airbag

Do not lean your head on the door.

The side curtain airbag could injure

you as it deploys from the headliner.

Indicator (page 41).

Note: The passenger sensing system will

deactivate the passenger seat-mounted

side airbag if it detects an empty passenger

seat.

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Supplementary Restraints System

WARNINGS

Do not attempt to service, repair, or

modify the side curtain airbags, its

fuses, the A, B, or C pillar trim, or the

headliner on a vehicle containing side

curtain airbags. Contact your authorized

dealer as soon as possible.

All occupants of the vehicle including

the driver should always wear their

safety belts even when an airbag

supplemental restraint system and side

E75004

curtain airbag is provided.

•

Side curtain airbags located above the

To reduce risk of injury, do not

obstruct or place objects in the

deployment path of the side curtain

trim panels over the front and rear side

windows identified by a label or

wording on the headliner or roof-pillar

trim.

airbag.

If the side curtain airbags have

deployed, the side curtain airbags

will not function again. The side

•

A flexible headliner which opens above

the side doors to allow side air curtain

deployment.

curtain airbags (including the A, B and C

pillar trim and headliner) must be

inspected and serviced by an authorized

dealer. If the side curtain airbag is not

replaced, the unrepaired area will increase

the risk of injury in a crash.

Crash sensors and monitoring

system with readiness indicator.

See Crash Sensors and Airbag

Indicator (page 41).

Children 12 years old and under should

always be properly restrained in the back

seats. The side curtain airbags 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 opening.

The side curtain airbags will deploy during

significant side crashes. The side curtain

airbags are mounted to the roof side-rail

sheet metal, behind the headliner, above

each row of seats. The side curtain airbags

are designed to inflate between the side

window area and occupants to further

enhance protection provided in side impact

crashes.

The design and development of the side

curtain airbags 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

curtain airbags.

The system consists of the following:

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Supplementary Restraints System

If any of these things happen, even

CRASH SENSORS AND

AIRBAG INDICATOR

intermittently, have the supplemental

restraint system checked by an authorized

dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the

system may not function correctly in the

event of a crash.

WARNING

Do not modify the front end of your

vehicle. Modifying or adding

The safety belt pretensioners and the front

airbag supplemental restraint system are

designed to deploy when your vehicle

sustains longitudinal deceleration

sufficient to cause the restraints control

module to deploy a safety device.

equipment to the front end of your

vehicle, including frame, bumper, front end

body structure or tow hooks, may affect

the performance of the airbag system,

increasing the risk of injury.

The fact that the safety belt pretensioners

or front airbags did not deploy for both

front seat occupants in a crash does not

mean that something is wrong with the

system. It means the restraints control

module determined that the crash

conditions were not appropriate to deploy

these safety devices.

Your vehicle has a collection of crash and

occupant sensors. These provide

information to the restraints control

module which will deploy the front safety

belt pretensioners, driver airbag, driver knee

airbag, passenger airbag, seat mounted

side airbags, and the side curtain airbags.

Based on the type of crash, frontal impact

or side impact, the restraints control

module will deploy the appropriate safety

devices.

•

The design of the front airbags is to

deploy only in frontal and near-frontal

crashes (not rollovers, side impacts or

rear impacts) unless the crash causes

sufficient longitudinal deceleration.

The restraints control module also

monitors the readiness of the above safety

devices plus the crash and occupant

sensors. The readiness of the safety

system is indicated by a warning lamp in

the instrument cluster or by a backup tone

if the warning lamp is not working. Routine

maintenance of the airbag is not required.

•

The design of the safety belt

pretensioners is to deploy in frontal and

near-frontal crashes, and may also

deploy when a side curtain airbag

deploys.

•

The knee airbag may deploy based on

crash severity and occupant conditions.

A difficulty with the system is indicated by

one or more of the following:

The design of the side curtain airbags

is to deploy in certain side impact

crashes. Side airbags may deploy in

other types of crashes if your vehicle

experiences sufficient sideways motion

or deformation.

The lamp will not illuminate

immediately when you switch

the ignition on.

•

The lamp will either flash or remain on.

A series of five beeps will be heard. The

tone pattern will repeat periodically

until the problem, the lamp or both are

repaired.

AIRBAG DISPOSAL

Contact your authorized dealer as soon as

possible. Airbags must be disposed of by

qualified personnel.

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Supplementary Restraints System for Your Ford Fiesta 4 Door Sixth Generation (2009-2016)

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