2004 Ford Freestar Owners Manual

from the 3 (OFF) position to the 4 (ON) position [maintain ignition in the 4 (ON) position for at least three seconds but no more than ten seconds]. 4. Turn the ignition from the 4 (ON) position back to the 3 (OFF) position in order to remove the second coded key from the ignition. 5. Within 10 seconds of removing the second coded key, insert the new unprogrammed key (new key/valet key) into the ignition and turn the ignition from the 3 (OFF) position to the 4 (ON) position [maintain ignition in the 4 (ON) position for at least three seconds, but no more than ten seconds]. This step will program your new key to a coded key. 6. To program additional new unprogrammed key(s), repeat this procedure from step 1. If successful, the new coded key(s) will start the vehicle’s engine and the theft indicator will illuminate for three seconds and then go out. If not successful, the new coded key(s) will not start the vehicle’s engine and the theft indicator will flash on and off and you may repeat Steps 1
through 5. If failure repeats, bring your vehicle to your dealership to have the new spare key(s) programmed.

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PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED) The perimeter anti-theft system will warn you in the event of an unauthorized entry to your vehicle. If there is any potential perimeter anti-theft problem with your vehicle, ensure ALL remote entry transmitters are taken to the dealership to aid in troubleshooting.

Arming the system When armed, this system will help protect your vehicle from unauthorized entry. When unauthorized entry occurs, the system will flash the turn signal lamps and side repeaters and honk the horn. The system is ready to arm whenever the key is removed from the ignition. Any of the following actions will prearm the alarm system: • Locking the vehicle using the remote entry transmitter. • Locking the vehicle using the keyless entry keypad. • Pressing the interior power door lock control while the door is open. Twenty seconds after one of the above events occurs, any door/hood that is closed is armed. Any door/hood that is still open is prearmed and waiting for the door/hood to be closed. Once that input is closed, the input will arm in 20 seconds and the exterior lamps may flash.

Disarming the system You can disarm the system by any of the following actions: • Unlock the vehicle with the remote keyless transmitter. • Unlock the vehicle with the keyless entry keypad. • Unlock the vehicle with a key in the driver’s door lock cylinder. • Use a SecuriLock娂 key to move the ignition to the 4 (ON) or 5

(START) position.

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Seating and Safety Restraints

SEATING Notes:

Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the

event of a collision.

Do not pile cargo higher than the seatbacks to reduce the risk of injury in a collision or sudden stop.

Adjustable head restraints (if equipped) Head restraints help to limit head motion in the event of a rear collision. Adjust your head restraint so that it is located directly or as close as possible behind your head. The head restraints can be moved up and down.

Push control to lower head restraint.

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Adjusting the front manual seat (if equipped)

Never adjust the driver’s seat or seatback when the vehicle is moving.

Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

Lift handle to move seat forward or backward.

Pull lever up to adjust seatback.

Adjusting the front power seat (if equipped)

Never adjust the driver’s seat or seatback when the vehicle is moving.

Do not pile cargo higher than the seatbacks to avoid injuring people in a collision or sudden stop.

Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

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Reclining the seatback can reduce the effectiveness of the seat’s safety belt in the event of a collision.

The control is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Press to raise or lower the front portion of the seat cushion.

Press to raise or lower the rear portion of the seat cushion.

Press the control to move the seat forward, backward, up or down.

Heated seats (if equipped) To operate the heated seats: • Push the control located on the

climate control system panel once to activate high heat. • Push twice to activate low heat. • Push a third time to deactivate. The indicator light on the control will illuminate when activated. The heating of the seat turns off after 10 minutes or when the vehicle is turned off.

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Using the manual lumbar support (if equipped) The lumbar control is located on the inboard side of the seat under the armrest. Rotate the control to change the firmness of the lumbar support.

Kangaroo pouch and map pocket (if equipped) The front of the cushion contains a pocket which can be used to hold small objects that need to be easily accessible. The rear of the seat back also contains a pocket for larger items which need to be easily accessible.

Memory seats/rearview mirrors/adjustable pedals (if equipped) This system allows automatic positioning of the driver seat, outside rearview mirrors, and adjustable pedals to two programmable positions. The memory seat control is located on the door next to the window inside from the mirror. • To program position one, move the driver seat to the desired position using the seat controls. Press the SET control. The SET control indicator light will briefly illuminate. While the light is illuminated, press control 1.

SET

• To program position two, repeat the previous procedure using control

2.

A position can only be recalled when the transmission gearshift is in Park. A memory seat position may be programmed at any time. The memory seat positions are also recalled when you press your remote entry transmitter UNLOCK control. To program the memory seat to remote entry transmitter, refer to Remote entry system in the Locks and security chapter.

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REAR SEATS

Head restraints Lift the head restraint so that it is located directly or as close as possible behind your head. The head restraints can be moved up and down by pulling up on the head restraint.

Push button to lower head restraint.

Seat mounted cup holders (if equipped) Deploy by pressing the button on top of the cupholder.

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The cupholder is designed to detach from the seat when subjected to heavy load. The cupholder can be reinstalled by returning to the closed position.

Adjusting 2nd row seats (if equipped) Lift control to adjust seat forward or backward. • 2nd row bucket seat (if

equipped)

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Seating and Safety Restraints • 2nd row bench seat (if equipped) Note: This seat can be moved forward to keep a child in a LATCH child restraint attached to the LATCH anchors at the center of the bench seat close to the front seat occupants or to increase cargo room without removing the seat. The seat should be moved to the full rearward position when it is occupied by older children or adults, and when child seats are installed at the seating positions. Adjusting second row bucket and bench seat back Pull control forward to adjust seat back. Using same control will fold the seat back flat.

Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the

event of a collision.

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Accessing the third row seat with a second row bucket seat Ensure head restraint is in the full down position and seat is adjusted to full rear position (if equipped).

Note: Place the front row seat in a forward position to allow the 2nd row to be fully upright. Lift the handle located on the rear lower corner of the seat.

The seat back will fold flat.

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Continuing to lift the handle will tumble the seat forward, allowing easier access to the third row seat.

After entering the 3rd row seat, return the seat from the tumbled position and latch it to the floor.

Operate recline control to return the seatback to the upright position. Note: • Ensure that the seat and seatback is latched securely in position. • Keep floor area free of objects that would prevent proper seat engagement. • Do not adjust or release the seat

floor latch while vehicle is in motion.

• Do not operate the vehicle with seats in tumbled position.

Always latch the vehicle seat to the floor, whether the seat is occupied or empty. If not latched, the seat may cause injury

during a sudden stop.

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Second row bench seat tip slide feature 1. Push the side easy-entry control handle forward and allow the seat back to flip forward. 2. Push the seat forward to allow access to the third row.

After entering the 3rd row, pull back the seatback until it latches. This will latch and lock the seatback and the seat track. The seatback and seat will not return to their original position. Note: Ensure the front row seat is in a forward position to allow the seat to return.

Exiting the third row seat Second row bucket seats (if equipped) Follow directions for accessing the third row seat Second row bench seat To exit the third row, activate the easy entry system by pulling on the strap on the rear of the seat. This will cause the seatback to flip forward and the seat track latches to open. Push the seat forward to allow easier exit from the third row.

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After exiting the third row, push rearward on the cushion of the seat to return the seat to its original position. Push the seatback rearward until it latches. This will latch and lock the seatback and the seat track.

Note: Do not attempt to return the seat by pushing on the seatback, as this will cause the seat tracks to re-lock before the seat can be returned. Push on the cushion to return the seat.

Removal of second row seats from vehicle 1. Place the front row seat in a forward position to allow the 2nd row seat to be fully upright. 2. Place the 2nd row seat in a rear position to allow the 2nd row seat to be fully upright. 3. Place seat in tumbled position. (See Accessing 3rd row seat)

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4. From inside the vehicle, pull up on front floor release handle (yellow).

5. Rotate the seat rearward at a 30
to 45 degree angle.

6. With the assist handle, pull the seat rearward.

7. Remove the seat from vehicle.

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Second row bench seat 1. Detach the lap/shoulder belts from both sides of the seat by inserting a seat belt tongue or key into the buckle release slot, pushing upward as shown, and pulling out the mini-tongue on the end of the seat belt.

2. Find the clips attached near the ends of the lap/shoulder belts.

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3. Clip the end of the belt to the stationary portion of the shoulder belt coming out of the trim panel.

The end of the shoulder belt must be clipped in order to keep it from striking anything during vehicle operation.

4. Position seatback in full down position. 5. From behind seat pull straight back on the release handles located on each side of the seat, releasing the rear floor latches. 6. Lift up the seat by the release handles to clear the floor latches and then pull the seat rearward until the front hooks have come out of the floor tubs. 7. Remove the seat. Installation of second row seats Second row bucket seats Prior to installation, ensure that the seats are on the correct side of the vehicle. Ensure that the seat is positioned so that the seat belt buckle is near the center aisle of the vehicle. The seatback must be folded flat prior to installation.

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1. Position the seat in vehicle. Place first row seat in a forward position to allow the second row seat to be installed.

2. Install seat onto rear pin of front tub at a 30 to 45 degree angle.

3. Rotate the seat forward until it latches onto the front pin.

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4. Rotate seat rearward until the back of the seat latches onto the floor.

5. Operate recline lever and push the seat back upright.

Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat. If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.

Second row bench seat 1. Position the seat in vehicle. 2. Align seat front hooks to the rear most pins of the front tub.

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3. Lower back of seat onto the rear tubs until both release controls latch into place. Be sure that the seat is locked in place both front and back.

Do not place the seat front hooks on the front most pin of the front tub. Doing so will not allow the seat to fully install in vehicle.

Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat. If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.

Stowing the third row seat 1. If the comfort guide is on the center lap/shoulder belt, slip the guide off the belt and stow the guide in the pocket on the back of the seat.

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2. If you plan to carry very large objects or items that might damage the center lap/shoulder belt, detach the belt from the seat. Use a key or seat belt tongue to release the buckle.

3. Store the tongue of the sliding latchplate in the belt pocket.

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4. Store the belt in the housing found on the ceiling by inserting the smaller tongue in the slot provided. Note: The seat can be stowed with the safety belt connected if desired. Store the tongue of the sliding latchplate in the belt pocket to avoid potential damage to the seat.

5. Push the head restraint release buttons and move the head restraints fully down. Remove all objects from the seat and stowage tub.

6. From the rear of the vehicle, fold seat back by pulling and releasing the number 1 strap.

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Important: If you don’t let go of the number 1 strap before the seat back folds completely, the seat may not stow flat in the tub. Refer to the label attached to the rear of the vehicle seat.

7. Release the cushion latches by pulling the number 2 strap.

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8. Pull the number 3 strap on the seat back to tumble seat all the way in to the tub in the floor.

Do not use the seat anchors as cargo tie downs.

Unstowing the third row seat Ensure seat latching area is free of objects. 1. Lift the seat out of the tub in the floor by pulling up on the exposed strap or handle. Once seat is at a vertical position, push the seat over, letting it fall onto the latches.

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2. To return the seat back to the seating position, pull the number 1
strap, then while holding the number 1 strap, pull the number 3
strap to raise the seat back. 3. Release the number 1 strap to allow the seat to lock, then release the number 3 strap.

4. Pull up on the head restraints to adjust them. 5. If the center lap/shoulder belt is detached, remove the belt from the ceiling storage area just ahead of the liftgate opening and buckle the tongue on the end of the belt to the mini-buckle on the left side of the center seat.

Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat. If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.

Third row seat features The seat is equipped with a recline function to allow for adjustment of the seat back for improved comfort. To activate the recliner, pull and hold the strap located near the plastic shield in the center of the seat. When seat is adjusted to desired location, release the strap.

Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the

event of a collision.

Tailgate function The 3rd row seat is equipped with a tailgate function to be utilized when the vehicle is parked and engine turned off. This rearward-facing position allows the customer to open the liftgate and sit facing out of the vehicle rearward.

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This is not a position suitable for driving. Do not drive the vehicle with the seat in this position. The safety belts are not

functional when the seat is in the tailgate position.

Ensure head restraints are moved to their full down position, all seat belts are released from the seat, seat and stowage tub are free of objects. 1. Push the head restraint release buttons and move all head restraints fully down. 2. To access the tailgate function, the seat must be in the seating position. If the seat is not in the seating position, follow all the steps of the ‘Unstowing Seat Section’. Once the seat is in the seating position, release the cushion latches by pulling the number 2 strap. Then, pull the seat rearward by the number 3 strap and set the seat on the liftgate scuff plate. The number 1 strap is not used to access this position.

Do not sit on the head restraints.

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3. To return the seat, ensure seat latching area is free of objects. Then, raise the seat off the liftgate scuff plate and push at the top of the seat back to rotate the seat back onto the latches. Pull up on the head restraints to raise them.

Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat. If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS

Personal Safety System The Personal Safety System provides an improved overall level of frontal crash protection to front seat occupants and is designed to help further reduce the risk of air bag-related injuries. The system is able to analyze different occupant conditions and crash severity before activating the appropriate safety devices to help better protect a range of occupants in a variety of frontal crash situations. Your vehicle’s Personal Safety System consists of: • Driver and passenger dual-stage air bag supplemental restraints. • Front safety belts with pretensioners, energy management retractors • Driver’s seat position sensor. • Passenger occupant classification sensor • Front crash severity sensor. • Restraints Control Module (RCM) with impact and safing sensors. • Restraint system warning light and back-up tone. • The electrical wiring for the air bags, crash sensor(s), safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, passenger occupant classification sensor, and indicator lights.

(first row only), and safety belt usage sensors.

How does the Personal Safety System work? The Personal Safety System can adapt the deployment strategy of your vehicle’s safety devices according to crash severity and occupant

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conditions. A collection of crash and occupant sensors provides information to the Restraints control module (RCM). During a crash, the RCM activates the safety belt pretensioners and/or either one or both stages of the dual-stage air bag supplemental restraints based on crash severity and occupant conditions. The fact that the pretensioners or air bags did not activate for both front seat occupants in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the Personal Safety System determined the accident conditions (crash severity, belt usage, etc.) were not appropriate to activate these safety devices. Front air bags and pretensioners are designed to activate only in frontal and near-frontal collisions, not rollovers, side-impacts, or rear-impacts unless the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration. Driver and passenger dual-stage air bag supplemental restraints The dual-stage air bags offer the capability to tailor the level of air bag inflation energy. A lower, less forceful energy level is provided for more common, moderate-severity impacts. A higher energy level is used for the most severe impacts. Refer to Air bag supplemental restraints section in this chapter. Front crash severity sensor The front crash severity sensor enhances the ability to detect the severity of an impact. Positioned up front, it provides valuable information early in the crash event on the severity of the impact. This allows your Personal Safety System to distinguish between different levels of crash severity and modify the deployment strategy of the dual-stage air bags and safety belt pretensioners. Driver’s seat position sensor The driver’s seat position sensor allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the deployment level of the driver dual-stage air bag based on seat position. The system is designed to help protect smaller drivers sitting close to the driver air bag by providing a lower air bag output level. Passenger occupant classification sensor (OCS) A label is located under the front passenger seat which is marked “OCS”. Take your vehicle to any Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer for assistance. For air bags to do their job they must inflate with great force, and this force can pose a potentially deadly risk to occupants that are very close to the air bag when it begins to inflate. For some occupants, like infants in rear-facing child seats, this occurs because they are initially sitting

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very close to the air bag. For other occupants, this occurs when the occupant is not properly restrained by seat belts or child safety seats and they move forward during pre-crash braking. The most effective way to reduce the risk of unnecessary injuries is to make sure all occupants are properly restrained. Accident statistics suggest that children are much safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front.

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.

Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.

The passenger occupant classification sensor can automatically turn off the passenger front air bag and side air bag (if equipped). The system is designed to help protect small (child size) occupants from air bag deployments when they are improperly seated or restrained in the front passenger seat contrary to proper child-seating or restraint usage recommendations. Even with this technology, parents are STRONGLY encouraged to always properly restrain children in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the air bag(s) when the passenger seat is empty to prevent unnecessary replacement of the air bag(s) after a collision. Front safety belt usage sensors The front safety belt usage sensors detect whether or not the driver and front outboard passenger safety belts are fastened. This information allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the air bag deployment and safety belt pretensioner activation depending upon safety belt usage. Refer to Safety belt section in this chapter. Front safety belt pretensioners The safety belt pretensioners at the front outboard seating positions are designed to tighten the safety belts firmly against the occupant’s body during a frontal or near-frontal collision. This maximizes the effectiveness of the safety belts and helps properly position the occupant relative to the air bag to improve protection. The safety belt pretensioners can be either activated alone or, if the collision is of sufficient severity, together with the air bags.

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Front safety belt energy management retractors The front outboard safety belt energy management retractors allow webbing to be pulled out of the retractor in a gradual and controlled manner in response to the occupant’s forward momentum. This helps reduce the risk of force-related injuries to the occupant’s chest by limiting the load on the occupant. Refer to Energy management feature section in this chapter. Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational The Personal Safety System uses a warning light in the instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Warning light section in the Instrument cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System is not required. The Restraints control module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits and the circuits for the air bag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s), safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, driver seat position sensor, and passenger occupant classification sensor. In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints warning light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following. • The warning light will either flash or stay lit. • The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is • A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

turned on.

periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.

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

Safety belt precautions

Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained.

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Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from

injury in a collision.

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.

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.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.

Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that

are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. 2) Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside shoulder. 3) Never use a single belt for more than one person.

Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.

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Combination lap and shoulder belts 1. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from) until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.

2. To unfasten, push the release button and remove the tongue from the buckle.

All restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. While you are fastened in the seat belt, the combination lap/shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the safety belt will become locked and help reduce your forward movement.

Energy Management Feature — Outboard • This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management

feature at the front seats to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision. • This safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to

extend the seat belt webbing in a controlled manner. This helps reduce the belt force acting on the user’s chest.

Failure to inspect and replace if necessary the Belt and Retractor assembly after an accident could increase the risk of

injury in a collision.

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Vehicle sensitive mode This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers. Automatic locking mode The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt. When to use the automatic locking mode In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt. This mode should be used any time a child safety seat is installed in a passenger front or outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Children 12 years old and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible. Refer to Safety restraints for children or Safety seats for children later in this chapter. How to use the automatic locking mode • Buckle the combination lap and

shoulder belt.

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Seating and Safety Restraints • Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until the entire belt is pulled out.

• Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking mode.

How to disengage the automatic locking mode

Ford Motor Company recommends that all passenger safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified technician after any collision to verify that the ⬙automatic locking retractor⬙ feature for child seats is still working properly. Safety belt assemblies should be inspected according to the procedures in the Workshop Manual and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted. Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. Safety belt height adjustment Your vehicle has safety belt height adjustments at the front and second row seating positions. Adjust the height of the shoulder belt so the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. To adjust the shoulder belt height, squeeze and hold the buttons on the side and slide the height adjuster up or down. Release the buttons and pull down on the height adjuster to make sure it is locked in place.

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Position the safety belt height adjusters so that the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety

belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt and increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Third row comfort guide The safety belt for the 3rd row center occupant may be stowed in the ceiling if it has been detached from the seat to carry large cargo. Remove the safety belt from the stowage area on the ceiling and buckle the small tongue on the end of the safety belt to the mini-buckle on the left side of the center seat position. The third row center lap/shoulder belt is equipped with a Belt Comfort Guide located in a pocket on the back of the seat. The guide is attached to the driver’s side head restraint, and is used to adjust the comfort of the shoulder belt for smaller occupants in the center position of the 3rd row seat. To adjust the comfort guide: • Slip the shoulder belt into the • Slide the guide up or down along the head restraint post so that the

belt guide.

belt is centered on the occupant’s shoulder.

Safety belt warning light and indicator chime The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

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Conditions of operation If... The driver’s safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position...

The driver’s safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding... The driver’s safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position...

Then... The safety belt warning light illuminates 1-2 minutes and the warning chime sounds 4-8
seconds. The safety belt warning light and warning chime turn off.

The safety belt warning light and indicator chime remain off.

BeltMinder The BeltMinder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster when the driver’s and front passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled. The BeltMinder feature uses information from the passenger occupant classification sensor to determine if a front seat passenger is present and therefore potentially in need of a warning. To avoid activating the BeltMinder feature for objects placed in the front passenger seat, warnings will only be given to large front seat occupants as determined by the passenger occupant classification sensor. Both the driver’s and passenger’s safety belt usages are monitored and either may activate the BeltMinder feature. The warnings are the same for the driver and the front passenger. If the BeltMinder warnings have expired (warnings for approximately 5 minutes) for one occupant (driver or front passenger), the other occupant can still activate the BeltMinder feature.

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Then... The BeltMinder feature will not activate.

If... The driver’s and front passenger’s safety belts are buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position or less than 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned ON... The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt is not buckled when the vehicle has reached at least 5 km/h (3 mph) and 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to ON...

The BeltMinder feature is activated - the safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for 6 seconds every 30 seconds, repeating for approximately 5 minutes or until the safety belts are buckled. The BeltMinder feature is activated - the safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for 6 seconds every 30 seconds, repeating for approximately 5 minutes or until the safety belts are buckled.

The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt becomes unbuckled for approximately 1 minute while the vehicle is traveling at least 5 km/h (3 mph) and more than 1-2
minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to ON... The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts: (All statistics based on U.S. data) Reasons given... Consider... “Crashes are rare events”

36700 crashes occur every day. The more we drive, the more we are exposed to “rare” events, even for good drivers. 1 in 4 of us will be seriously injured in a crash during our lifetime.

“I’m not going far” 3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home.

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Reasons given... Consider... “Belts are uncomfortable”

We design our safety belts to enhance comfort. If you are uncomfortable - try different positions for the safety belt upper anchorage and seatback which should be as upright as possible; this can improve comfort.

“I was in a hurry” Prime time for an accident. BeltMinder reminds

“Safety belts don’t work”

“Traffic is light”

“Belts wrinkle my clothes”

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

us to take a few seconds to buckle up. Safety belts, when used properly, reduce risk of death to front seat occupants by 45% in cars, and by 60% in light trucks. Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in single-vehicle crashes, many when no other vehicles are around. Possibly, but a serious crash can do much more than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if you are unbelted. 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 air bag” Air bags offer greater protection when used with safety belts. Frontal airbags are not designed to inflate in rear and side crashes or rollovers. 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”.

“I’d rather be thrown clear”

Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the risk of

injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.

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One time disable If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles the BeltMinder feature for that seating position, the BeltMinder is disabled for the current ignition cycle. The BeltMinder feature will re-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 feature The driver and front passenger BeltMinder are deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the process. Read steps 1 - 4 thoroughly before proceeding with the deactivation/activation programming procedure. The driver and front passenger BeltMinder 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 P (Park) (automatic transmission) • The ignition switch is in the OFF position • The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled

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
minute) • Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt

warning light turns off.

3. For the seating position being disabled, 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 restraint system warning light (airbag light) will be

turned on for three seconds.

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4. Within 10 seconds of the light turning on, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt. • This will disable the BeltMinder feature for that seating position if it is currently enabled. As confirmation, the restraint system warning light will flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds. • This will enable the BeltMinder feature for that seating position if it is currently disabled. As confirmation, the restraint system warning light will flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds, followed by 3 seconds with the light off, then followed by the restraint system 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, a 23 cm (9 inch) or 31 cm (12 inch) safety belt extension assembly can be added (part numbers 611C22–A and 611C22–B respectively). These assemblies 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, replacing 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), 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 in use 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, except as described in the Replacing the front seat belt assemblies after a collision section of this chapter. 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.

Replacing the front seat belt assemblies after a collision The front outboard safety belt assemblies have a special energy management retractors designed to further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision. These retractors should be replaced if they were used in any accident in which the front airbags deploy. If the safety belt assemblies are not replaced, there may be increased risk of injury in the event of a subsequent collision.

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.

AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

The air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is designed to work in conjunction with the safety belts to help protect the driver and front outboard passenger from certain upper body injuries. The term “supplemental restraint” means the air bags are intended as a supplement to the safety belts. Air bags alone cannot protect as well as air bags plus safety belts in impacts for which the air bags are designed to deploy, and air bags do not offer any protection in crashes for which they do not deploy.

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Important SRS precautions The SRS 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; there is a risk of injury from a deploying air bag.

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.

The 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.

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

To properly position yourself away from the air bag: • Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the • Recline the seat slightly one or two degrees from the upright position.

pedals comfortably.

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.

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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag supplemental restraint systems 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 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.

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.

Determining if the system is operational The supplemental restraint system uses a warning indicator in the instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Warning light section in the Instrument cluster 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 (same light

for front and side air bag system) will either flash or stay lit. • The readiness light will not

illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on.

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Seating and Safety Restraints • 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 your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision.

How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work? The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains longitudinal deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates air bag inflation. The fact that the air bags 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. Front air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration. The air bags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After air bag 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 air bag. 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 air bag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable

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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 air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly restrained as far away from the air bag 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.

chapter.

air bags).

The SRS consists of: • driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and • side air bags (if equipped). Refer to Side air bag system later in this • one or more impact and safing sensors. • a readiness light and tone. • diagnostic module. • and the electrical wiring which connects the components. The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical system wiring (including the impact sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.

Front passenger sensing system The front passenger sensing system will turn off the front passenger’s frontal air bag under certain conditions. The driver’s air bag and side air bag are not part of the front passenger sensing system. 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 air bag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. The front passenger sensing system is designed to meet the regulatory requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208
and is designed to turn off the front passenger’s frontal air bag if:

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Seating and Safety Restraints • the front passenger seat is unoccupied, • an infant or small child weighing less than 50 pounds (23 kg) is in the

front seat, either in a child restraint, in a booster seat, or sitting directly on the vehicle seat,

• a front passenger takes his/her weight off the seat for a period of time For larger children and very small adults, the passenger sensing system may leave the air bag system enabled, or turn it OFF. The occupant’s seating position may determine whether or not the air bag is enabled.

Even with the front passenger sensing system, children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the back seat.

When the front passenger seat is occupied and the sensing system has turned off the passenger’s frontal air bag, the ⬙passenger airbag off⬙ or ⬙pass airbag off⬙ indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal air bag is off. When the front passenger seat is not occupied (empty seat) or in the event that the front passenger frontal air bag is enabled (may inflate), the indicator light will be unlit. The indicator light is located in the center stack of the instrument panel to the right of the radio. The front passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the front passenger’s frontal air bag when a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. If the child restraint has been installed and the indicator 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 directions. The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the right front passenger’s frontal air bag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the air bag to be enabled, the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit to remind you that the air bag is enabled (may inflate). If a person of adult-size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the ⬙passenger air bag off⬙ or ⬙pass air bag off⬙ indicator is lit, it could be

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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, then 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 then enable the passenger’s air bag. If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, then the occupant should be advised to ride 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 upright, with their back against the seatback, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor while the vehicle is still in motion. 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 passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.

In case there is a problem with the passenger sensing system, the airbag readiness light in the instrument cluster will stay lit. Do NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle immediately to the dealer. If it is necessary to modify an advanced front air bag 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.

Side air bag system (if equipped)

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats or in front

seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying air bag. 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 air bags and

increase the risk of injury in an accident.

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

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an air bag. See your

Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.

All occupants of the vehicle should always wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS is provided.

How does the side air bag system work? The side air bag system consists of the following: • An inflatable nylon bag (air bag) with a gas generator concealed behind the outboard bolster of the driver and front passenger seatbacks. • A special seat cover designed to • The same readiness airbag light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used for the front air bags.

allow airbag deployment.

• Two crash sensors located under

the outboard side of the front seats, attached to the floor.

Side air bags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision. The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected by the collision will be inflated, even if the respective seat is not occupied. The air bag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided occupants in side impact collisions. The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates air bag inflation.

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The fact that the air bags 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 air bags 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 air bag has deployed, the air bag will

not function again. The side air bag system (including the seat) must be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the vehicle service manual. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Safety Canopy姟 system (if equipped)

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娂. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

Do not lean your head on the door. The Safety Canopy娂 could injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Safety Canopy娂 system, its fuses, the A, B, C or D pillar trim, or the headliner on

a vehicle containing a Safety Canopy娂. See your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.

All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS and Safety

Canopy娂 system is provided.

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

How does the Safety Canopy姟 system work? The design and development of the Safety Canopy娂 system included recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of automotive safety experts known as the Side Air Bag Technical Working Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including the Safety Canopy娂). The Safety Canopy娂 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).

as used for the front airbags.

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• A headliner designed to flex open above the side doors to allow Safety • The same readiness airbag light, electronic control and diagnostic unit

Canopy娂 deployment.

on each side).

Seating and Safety Restraints • Two crash sensors mounted under the front seats (one on each side). • Two crash sensors located at the c-pillar behind the rear doors (one • Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM). The Safety Canopy娂 system, in combination with seat 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娂 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娂 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娂 inflation or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopy娂 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娂 system will be activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. In certain rollover events, the Safety Canopy娂 on both sides of the vehicle will be inflated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy娂 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娂 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娂 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.

Several Safety Canopy娂 system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

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If the Safety Canopy娂 system has deployed, the

Safety Canopy娂 will not function again unless replaced. The Safety Canopy娂 system (including the A, B, C, and D pillar trim) must be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the vehicle service manual. If the Safety Canopy娂 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 Air bag readiness section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not required. Any difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: • The readiness airbag light (same light as for front air bag system) will • The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is • A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

either flash or stay lit.

turned on.

periodically until the problem and light are 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 or rollover event.

Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles (including pretensioners) See your local dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.

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SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety restraints for children. Also see Air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags.

Important child restraint precautions You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S. and Canada. If small children (generally children who are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less) ride in your vehicle, you must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Many states require that children use approved booster seats until they are eight years old. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of children in your vehicle. When possible, always place children under age 12 in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating position.

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from

injury in a collision.

Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or child restraint you might use.

Children and safety belts If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat. Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts. Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that apply to adult passengers in your vehicle. If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt fit.

Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets unattended in your vehicle.

Child booster seats Children outgrow a typical convertible or toddler seat when they weigh 40 pounds and are around 4 years of age. Although the lap/shoulder belt

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will provide some protection, these children are still too small for lap/shoulder belts to fit properly, which could increase the risk of serious injury. To improve the fit of both the lap and shoulder belt on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford Motor Company recommends use of a belt-positioning booster. Booster seats position a child so that safety belts fit better. They lift the child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips and the knees bend comfortably. Booster seats also make the shoulder belt fit better and more comfortably for growing children. When children should use booster seats Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they weigh about 80 lbs (about 8 to 12 years old). Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these questions: • Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat back with knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat without slouching?

• Does the lap belt rest low across the hips? • Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest? • Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

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Types of booster seats There are two types of belt-positioning booster seats: • Those that are backless.

If your backless booster seat has a removable shield, remove the shield and use the lap/shoulder belt. If a seating position has a low seat back and no head restraint, a backless booster seat may place your child’s head (top of ear level) above the top of the seat. In this case, move the backless booster to another seating position with a higher seat back and lap/shoulder belts.

• Those with a high back.

If, with a backless booster seat, you cannot find a seating position that adequately supports your child’s head, a high back booster seat would be a better choice.

Both can be used in any vehicle in a seating position equipped with lap/shoulder belts if your child is over 40 lbs. The shoulder belt should cross the chest, resting snugly on the center of the shoulder. The lap belt should rest low and snug across the hips, never up high across the stomach. If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this condition. The importance of shoulder belts Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is best to use a booster seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat- the safest place for children to ride.

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Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat.

Never put the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it eliminates the protection for the upper part of

the body and may increase the risk of injury or death in a collision.

Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child. They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or death in a

collision.

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN Child and infant or child safety seats Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision. When installing a child safety seat: • Review and follow the information presented in the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System section in this chapter. • Use the correct safety belt buckle • Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.

for that seating position.

• Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button, to prevent accidental unbuckling.

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Seating and Safety Restraints • LATCH lower anchors are recommended for use by children up to 22
kg (48 pounds) in a child restraint. Top tether anchors can be used for children up to 27 kg (60 pounds) in a child restraint, and to provide upper torso restraint for children up to 36 kg (80 pounds) using an upper torso harness and a belt-positioning booster.

Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position with LATCH and tether anchors. For more information on top tether straps and anchors, refer to Attaching safety seats with tether straps in this chapter. For more information of LATCH anchors refer to Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments in this chapter.

Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.

Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder belts

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.

Children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible.

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1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt. If you use the 3rd row center seat and the safety belt has been detached from the seat to carry large cargo, remove the safety belt from the stowage area on the ceiling and buckle the small tongue on the end of the belt to the mini-buckle on the left side of the center seat position. 2. Pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together.

3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the tongue through the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted.

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4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from) for that seating position until you hear a snap and feel the latch engage. Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it.

5. To put the retractor in the automatic locking mode, grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is pulled out and a click is heard.

6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode. 7. Pull the lap belt portion across the child seat toward the buckle and pull up on the shoulder belt while pushing down with your knee on the child seat.

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8. Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt. 9. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly move the seat forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place. To check this, grab the seat at the belt path and attempt to move it side to side and forward. There should be no more than one inch of movement for proper installation. 10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps two through nine. Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.

Attaching child safety seats with tether straps Most new forward-facing child safety seats include a tether strap which goes over the back of the seat and hooks to an anchoring point. Tether straps are available as an accessory for many older safety seats. Contact the manufacturer of your child seat for information about ordering a tether strap.

Children should be placed in the rear in an appropriate child safety seat that is properly secured to the vehicle.

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Seating and Safety Restraints

The tether anchors in your vehicle are in the positions shown:

The front passenger seat with power adjustment does not have a tether anchor. The two tether anchors on the back of the second row bench seat can be used either for child safety seats at the two seating positions, or either anchor can be used for a single LATCH child seat installed at the center of the bench seat. Front passenger seating position (manual adjusting seats only) 1. Position the child safety seat on the passenger seat cushion.

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2. Route the child safety seat tether strap over the back of the seat. If the head restraint is adjustable, route the tether strap under the head restraint and between the head restraint posts. If the top of the safety seat hits the head restraint, raise the head restraint to let the child seat fit further rearward.

3. Grasp the tether strap and position it to the seat frame.

4. Rotate the tether hook, and clip the tether strap to the seat frame.

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If the tether strap is clipped incorrectly (as shown) the

child safety seat may not be retained properly in the event of a collision.

5. Rotate the tether strap clip.

6. Install the child safety seat tightly using the LATCH anchors or safety belts. Follow the instructions in this chapter.

7. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

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Rear seating positions Follow steps 1–7 as described above for the following available seats: • 2nd row bucket

• 2nd row bench

• 3rd row bench

For additional important safety information on the proper use of safety belts, child seats and infant seats, please read the entire Seating and safety restraints chapter in this owner’s guide. Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments for child seat anchors New child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle. This type of child seat eliminates the need to use safety belts to attach the child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the tether strap must also be attached to the proper tether anchor. See Attaching safety seats with tether straps in this chapter.

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Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat installation at the seating positions marked with the child seat symbol.

If your vehicle has a second row bench seat, one child seat can be placed in each outboard seating position, or one LATCH child seat can be placed in the center of the seat only. Please note that the center-only position does not have a separate tether anchor. Either of the outboard tether anchors may be used for the center position. Do not use the two designated seating positions of the 2nd row bench when a LATCH child seat is installed at the center. A child seat will block access to the safety belt buckles.

Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the

same anchor. In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or death.

The lower anchors for child seat installation are located at the rear section of the rear seat between the cushion and seat back.

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Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a child seat with LATCH attachments.

Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the anchors shown.

If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash. Adjusting the seat back angle may allow the tether strap to be tight without lifting the child seat. Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to tilt the child seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if the anchors hold the seat in place.

If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being injured in a crash greatly increases.

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Driving

STARTING

Driving

Positions of the ignition 1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to operate while the engine is not running. 2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel, automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows key removal. 3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal being depressed.

When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P

(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.

4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving. 5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.

Preparing to start your vehicle Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise. When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to Starting the engine in this chapter.

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk