Ford Thunderbird (2004 year). Manual — part 20

One time disable

Any time the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an
ignition ON cycle, the BeltMinder will be disabled for that ignition cycle
only.

Deactivating/activating the BeltMinder feature

Read steps 1 - 9 thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.

The BeltMinder feature 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 P (Park).
• The ignition switch is in the OFF position.
• All vehicle doors are closed.
• The driver’s safety belt is unbuckled.
• The parklamps are in OFF position.

To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt
Minder 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 1–2
minutes.)
• Steps 3–5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure will

have to be repeated.

3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled. This can be done before or during BeltMinder
warning activation.

4. Turn on the parklamps, turn off the parklamps.

5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
• After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three

seconds.

6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.

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• This will disable BeltMinder if it is currently enabled, or enable

BeltMinder if it is currently disabled.

7. Confirmation of disabling BeltMinder is provided by the safety belt
warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds.

8. Confirmation of enabling BeltMinder is provided by:
• The safety belt warning light flashing four times per second for three

seconds.

• Followed by three seconds with the safety belt warning light off.
• Once again, the safety belt warning light will flash four times per

second for three seconds.

9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.

Safety belt extension assembly

If the safety belt is too short when fully extended, there is a 20 cm (8
inch) safety belt extension assembly that can be added (part number
611C22). This assembly can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.

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 seat 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 tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), LATCH child seat tether
anchors and lower anchors (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should
be inspected after a collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if
the collision was minor and a qualified technician 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.

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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.

Refer to Interior in the Cleaning chapter.

AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

Important supplemental restraint system (SRS) precautions

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.

Air bags DO NOT inflate slowly or
gently and the risk of injury from a
deploying air bag is greatest close to
the trim covering the air bag
module.

All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag (SRS) is

provided.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
recommends a minimum distance of at least 25 cm (10 inches)

between an occupant’s chest and the driver air bag module.

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

Steps you can take to properly position yourself away from the air bag:
• 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 air bag module. Placing
objects on or over the air bag inflation area may cause those

objects to be propelled by the air bag into your face and torso causing
serious injury.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or

Lincoln Mercury 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 air bag system, increasing
the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle.

Children and air bags

For additional important safety information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.

Children must always be properly restrained. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. NEVER place a
rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag. If you must

use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the
way back and turn the passenger air bag off. Refer to Passenger air
bag ON/OFF switch in this chapter of the owner’s guide.

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