Lincoln Zephyr (2006 year). Instruction — part 8

Reasons given...

Consider...

“Traffic is light”

Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in
single-vehicle crashes, many when
no other vehicles are around.

“Belts wrinkle my clothes”

Possibly, but a serious crash can do
much more than wrinkle your clothes,
particularly if you are unbelted.

“The people I’m with don’t wear
belts”

Set the example, teen deaths occur 4
times more often in vehicles with TWO
or MORE people. Children and younger
brothers/sisters imitate behavior they
see.

“I have an airbag”

Airbags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.

“I’d rather be thrown clear”

Not a good idea. People who are
ejected are 40 times more likely to
DIE. Safety belts help prevent ejection,
WE CAN’T “PICK OUR CRASH”.

Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the
BeltMinder

威 chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the

risk of injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the
BeltMinder

威 feature please follow the directions stated below.

One time disable

If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles the
safety belt for that seating position, the BeltMinder

威 is disabled for the

current ignition cycle. The BeltMinder

威 feature will enable during the same

ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for approximately
30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one time disable.

Deactivating/activating the BeltMinder

姞 feature

The driver and front passenger BeltMinder

威 are

deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.

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Read Steps 1 - 4 thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.

Note: The driver and front passenger BeltMinder

威 features must be

disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the
same key cycle.

The driver and front passenger BeltMinder

威 features can be

deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:

Before following the procedure, make sure that:
• The parking brake is set
• The gearshift is in N (Neutral) (instruction transmission)
• The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
• The ignition switch is in the OFF position
• The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled

While the design allows you to deactivate your BeltMinder

威, this

system is designed to improve your chances of being safely

belted and surviving an accident. We recommend you leave the
BeltMinder

威 system activated for yourself and others who may use the

vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the
BeltMinder

威 feature while driving the vehicle.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE)

2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately 1
minute)
• Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt

warning light turns off.

3. For the seating position being disabled, at a moderate speed, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt 9 times, ending in the unbuckled state.
(Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt
warning light turns off.)
• After Step 3, the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three

seconds.

4. Within 10 seconds of the light turning on, at a moderate speed, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt.
• This will disable the BeltMinder威 feature for that seating position if it

is currently enabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds.

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• This will enable the BeltMinder威 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 4 times
per second for 3 seconds again.

Safety belt extension assembly

If the safety belt is too short when fully extended, there is a 8 inch (20
cm) safety belt extension assembly that can be added (part number
611C22). This assembly can be obtained from an authorized dealer.

Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended.

Do not use extensions to change the fit of the shoulder belt
across the torso.

Safety belt maintenance

Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front safety 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 in use in vehicles involved in
a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an
authorized dealer 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.

For proper care of soiled safety belts, refer to Interior in the Cleaning
chapter.

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AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

Important supplemental restraint system precautions

Airbags DO NOT inflate slowly or
gently and the risk of injury from a
deploying airbag is greatest close to
the trim covering the airbag module.

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.

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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Never place your arm over the airbag module as a deploying
airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries.

Steps you can take 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.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag
supplemental restraint system (SRS) or its fuses. See your

authorized dealer.

Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of the vehicle
(including frame, bumper, front end body structure and tow

hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system, increasing the
risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle.

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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.

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 safety belt pretensioner and airbag supplemental
restraint system work?

The safety belt pretensioner and
airbag SRS are designed to activate
when the vehicle sustains
longitudinal deceleration sufficient
to cause the sensors to close an
electrical circuit that initiates
pretensioner activation and airbag
inflation.

The fact that the pretensioners and
airbags 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. 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.

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)

• seat-mounted side airbags (if equipped). Refer to Seat-mounted side

airbag system later in this chapter

• safety belt pretensioners
• one or more impact and safing sensors

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• a readiness light and tone
• and the electrical wiring which connects the components
• Side curtain airbag system. Refer to Side curtain airbag system later

in this chapter.

• 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, the airbag ignitors and safety belt pretensioners.

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,

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

child or small person is unbuckled.

The front passenger sensing system
uses a

⬙passenger airbag off⬙ or

⬙pass airbag off⬙ indicator which will
light and stay lit to remind you that
the front passenger frontal airbag is
off. The indicator lamp is located in
the center stack of the instrument panel above the climate controls.

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 lamp 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

⬙passenger airbag off⬙ or ⬙pass airbag off⬙ 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.

Occupant

Pass Airbag Off
Indicator Lamp

Passenger Airbag

Empty seat

Unlit

Disabled

Small child in child safety
seat or booster

Lit

Disabled

Small child with safety
belt buckled or unbuckled

Lit

Disabled

Adult

Unlit

Enabled

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

⬙pass airbag off⬙ lamp may or may not

be illuminated according to the table below.

Objects

Pass Airbag Off
Indicator Lamp

Passenger Airbag

Small (i.e. 3 ring
binder, small purse,
bottled water)

Unlit

Disabled

Medium (i.e. heavy
briefcase, fully packed
luggage)

Lit

Disabled

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 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.

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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 front
passenger seat sensing system.

In case there is a problem with the
front passenger sensing system, the
airbag readiness light in the
instrument cluster will stay lit.

If the airbag readiness light 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 light is no

longer illuminated

• If the airbag readiness light 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

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 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 (including side air
curtain systems).

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.

• 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 near 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, even if the respective seat is not occupied.
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

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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.

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 used for front airbag system) will

either flash or stay lit.

• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is

turned to the RUN position.

• 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 an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.

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Side curtain airbag system

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 place objects or mount equipment on or near the
headliner at the siderail that may come into contact with a

deploying side air curtain. Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the side air
curtain cover.

Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag could injure
you as it deploys from the seat.

Do not lean your head on the door. The side air curtain could
injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the side air curtain
system, its fuses, the A, B, or C pillar trim, or the headliner on a

vehicle containing a side air curtain. See your authorized dealer.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag
supplemental restraint system, its fuses, or the seat cover on a

seat containing an airbag. See your authorized dealer.

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