Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual — part 22

Seating and safety restraints

86

If the air bag is inflated, 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 the following:

• driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),

• one impact and one safing sensor,

• a readiness light and a secondary
warning light, and

• the electrical wiring and
components.

The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag backup power, and the
air bag ignitors.

Several air bag system
components get hot after

inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.

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Seating and safety restraints

87

Determining if the system is
operational

The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a
secondary warning light to indicate
the condition of the system. Refer
to the Air bag readiness section in
the Instrumentation chapter.
Routine maintenance of the air bag
is not required.

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

• The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.

• The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.

• The air bag secondary warning
light will flash five times. The
pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem or the readiness
light is repaired.

If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.

CHECK

ENGINE

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

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88

Disposal of air bags and air bag
equipped vehicles

For disposal of air bags or air bag
equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or a qualified technician.
Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.

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Seating and safety restraints

89

Safety belts and seats can
become hot in a vehicle that

has been closed up in sunny
weather; they could burn a small
child. Check seat covers and
buckles before you place a child
anywhere near them.

Do not leave children,
unreliable adults, or pets

unattended in your vehicle.

To prevent the risk of injury,
make sure children sit where

they can be properly restrained.

CHILDREN AND SAFETY
RESTRAINTS

It is extremely dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or

outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.

Whenever possible, put
children in one of the rear

seats in your vehicle. Accident
statistics indicate that children are
safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats than in the front
seats.

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