Ford Crown Victoria (2011 year). Manual — part 29

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.

WARNING: 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.

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. three-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)

Seating and Safety Restraints

119

2011 Crown Victoria (cro)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA (fus)

• 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.

WARNING: 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 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 two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness lamp is

no longer illuminated

Seating and Safety Restraints

120

2011 Crown Victoria (cro)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA (fus)

• 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.

WARNING: The front passenger airbag is not designed to offer
protection to an occupant in the center seating position.

WARNING: An out of position front center occupant could
affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system.

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.

WARNING: 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 SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a 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 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, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible. Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event of a collision.

Seating and Safety Restraints

121

2011 Crown Victoria (cro)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA (fus)

Seat-mounted side airbag system

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an

airbag. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear
their safety belts even when an airbag SRS is provided.

Seating and Safety Restraints

122

2011 Crown Victoria (cro)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA (fus)