Ford Taurus X (2009 year). Manual — part 48

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.

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.

• Crash sensors located on the B

and C pillars (one sensor on each
pillar on each side of the vehicle).

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. If the front passenger sensing system
detects an empty seat, the front passenger seat-mounted side airbag will
be deactivated. 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
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.

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194

WARNING: Several air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

WARNING: 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.

Safety Canopy

姞 system

WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment

on or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying Safety
Canopy

威. Failure to follow these

instructions may increase the risk
of personal injury in the event of a
collision.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The Safety
Canopy

威 could injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
Safety Canopy

威 system, its fuses, the A, B, C or D pillar trim, or

the headliner on a vehicle containing a Safety Canopy

威. See your

authorized dealer.

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195

WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their safety belts even when an airbag SRS

and Safety Canopy

威 system is provided.

WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place
objects in the deployment path of the inflatable Safety Canopy

威.

How does the Safety Canopy

姞 system work?

The design and development of the
Safety Canopy

威 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 the Safety
Canopy

威).

The Safety Canopy

威 system consists

of the following:
• An inflatable nylon curtain with a

gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of vehicle).

• A headliner designed to flex open above the side doors to allow Safety

Canopy

威 deployment.

• The same readiness airbag light, electronic control and diagnostic unit

as used for the front airbags.

• Two crash sensors mounted on the B pillar (one on each side of the

vehicle).

• Two crash sensors located at the C pillar behind the rear doors (one

on each side of the vehicle).

• Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).

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196

The Safety Canopy

威 system, in combination with safety belts, can help

reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact
collision or rollover event.

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second or third row seats. The Safety Canopy

威 will not interfere with

children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.

The Safety Canopy

威 system is designed to activate when the vehicle

sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the side crash sensor to
close an electrical circuit that initiates Safety Canopy

威 inflation or when

a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.

The Safety Canopy

威 is mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal, behind the

headliner, along the entire side of the vehicle. In certain lateral collisions
or rollover events, the Safety Canopy

威 system will be activated,

regardless of which seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy

威 is designed

to inflate between the side window area and occupants to further
enhance protection provided in side impact collisions and rollover events.

The fact that the Safety Canopy

威 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. The Safety
Canopy

威 is designed to inflate in certain side impact collisions or rollover

events, not in rear impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the
collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover.

WARNING: Several Safety Canopy

威 system components get hot

after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

Seating and Safety Restraints

197