Get Seating and Safety Restraints -> AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) Guide for Ford Focus 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2010)

Seating and Safety Restraints

4. Within 10 seconds of the light turning on, at a moderate speed, buckle

then unbuckle the safety belt.

• This will disable the Belt-Minder௡ feature for that seating position if it

is currently enabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will

flash 1 time per second for 3 seconds.

• This will enable the Belt-Minder௡ feature for that seating position if it

is currently disabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will

flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds, followed by 3 seconds with the

light off, then followed by the safety belt warning light flashing 1time

per second for 3 seconds again.

AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

The supplemental restraint system 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 or gently, and the risk of injury

from a deploying airbag is the greatest close to the trim covering

the airbag module.

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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.

Airbags DO NOT inflate slowly;

there is a risk of injury from a

deploying airbag.

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.

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 10 inches (25 cm)

between an occupant’s chest and the driver airbag module.

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.

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.

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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag

supplemental restraint systems or its fuses. See your authorized

dealer.

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.

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 inflate 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.

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 airbag modules (which include the inflators and

airbags).

• side airbags (if equipped). Refer to Side airbag system later in this

chapter.

• safety belt pretensioners

• one or more impact and safing sensors.

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• 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.

• 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 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,

• a child or a small person occupies the front passenger seat.

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For side airbag equipped vehicles, the front passenger sensing system

will turn off the passenger seat side airbag if:

• the seat is empty and safety belt is unbuckled.

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 at the top of the

instrument panel center stack area

below the Hazard warning indicator

and 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.

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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.

Pass Airbag Off

Indicator Lamp

Occupant

Passenger Airbag

Empty seat

Small child in child safety Lit

seat or booster

Unlit

Disabled

Small child with safety

belt buckled or unbuckled

Adult

Lit

Disabled

Enabled

Unlit

Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12 and under

should be properly restrained in the back seat.

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.

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.

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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.

Pass Airbag Off

Indicator Lamp

Objects

Passenger Airbag

Small (i.e. 3 ring

binder, small purse,

bottled water)

Unlit

Disabled

Medium (i.e. heavy

briefcase, fully packed

luggage)

Empty seat, or small

to medium object with

safety belt buckled

Lit

Disabled

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

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

occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the passenger sensing system.

The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or lighter due

to the conditions described in the list above.

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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 passenger

seat sensing system.

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 2 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; take your vehicle

immediately to an authorized dealer.

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 section of this Owner’s Guide.

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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 supplemental restraint system uses a warning indicator light in the

instrument cluster or a back-up 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.

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

• The readiness light (same light

for front and side 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/or light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental

restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless

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

collision.

Seat-mounted side airbag system (if equipped)

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.

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.

Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag could injure

you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.

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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag SRS, its

fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an airbag. See your

authorized dealer.

All occupants of the vehicle should always wear their safety belts

even when an airbag SRS is provided.

How does the side airbag system work?

The side airbag system consists of

the following:

• An inflatable nylon bag (airbag)

with a gas generator 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.

• Two crash sensors located under

the outboard side of the front

seats, attached to the floor.

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 front passenger sensing system will

turn off the passenger seat side airbag if the seat is empty (unless for

some reason the safety belt is properly buckled). If the front passenger

seat is empty, and the safety belt is not properly buckled, the front

passenger seat side airbag will be turned off by the front passenger

sensing system. 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.

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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.

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

touch them after inflation.

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.

Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles (including

pretensioners)

See your authorized dealer. 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.

Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers should never be placed

in front of an active passenger airbag.

Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back

seat and always use appropriate child restraints.

Accident statistics indicate that children are safer when properly

restrained in the rear seats.

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Seating and Safety Restraints -> AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) for Your Ford Focus 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2010)

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