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2018 Ford Focus Owners Manual - Supplementary Restraints System



Supplementary Restraints System

Airbags do not inflate slowly or gently, and the risk of injury from a deploying airbag is the greatest close

to the trim covering the airbag module.

All occupants of your vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their seatbelts, even

when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. Failure to properly wear your seatbelt could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

Even with advanced restraints systems, properly restrain children 12 and under in a rear seating

position. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

Do not place your arms on the airbag cover or through the steering wheel.

Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury.

Keep the areas in front of the airbags free from obstruction. Do not affix anything to or over the airbag covers.

Objects could become projectiles during airbag deployment or in a sudden stop. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child restraint. Never place a

rear-facing child restraint in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child restraint in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child restraint is installed all the way back.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the supplementary restraint system or associated components.

Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

Several airbag system components get hot after inflation. To reduce the risk of injury, do not touch them after

inflation.

If a supplementary restraint system component has deployed, it will not function again. Have the system and associated components inspected as soon

as possible. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

The airbags are a supplemental restraint system and are designed to work with the seatbelts to help protect the driver and right front passenger from certain upper body injuries. Airbags do not inflate slowly; there is a risk of injury from a deploying airbag.

Note: You will hear a loud bang and see a cloud of harmless powdery residue if an airbag deploys. This is normal.

The airbags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After airbag 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 (for example, baking soda) that result from the combustion process that inflates the airbag. 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 airbag may also cause abrasions or swelling. Temporary hearing loss is also a possibility as a result of the noise associated with a deploying airbag.

Because airbags must inflate rapidly and with considerable force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures, facial and eye injuries or internal injuries,

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particularly to occupants who are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of airbag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly restrained as far away from the airbag module as possible while maintaining vehicle control.

Routine maintenance of the airbags is not required.

Do not place your arms on the airbag cover or through the steering wheel.

Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury.

Keep the areas in front of the airbags free from obstruction. Do not affix anything to or over the airbag covers.

Objects could become projectiles during airbag deployment or in a sudden stop. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child restraint. Never place a

rear-facing child restraint in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child restraint in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child restraint is installed all the way back.

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The driver and front passenger airbags will deploy during significant frontal and near frontal crashes.

The driver and passenger front airbag system consists of:

    Driver and passenger airbag modules.
    Front passenger sensing system.
    Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag

Indicator (page 45).

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance

of at least 10 in (25 cm) between an occupant's chest and the driver airbag module.

To properly position yourself away from the airbag:

    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.

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After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on seatbelts, it is very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated occupant sits upright, leaning against the seatback, 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.

Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child restraint. Never place a

rear-facing child restraint in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child restraint in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child restraint is installed all the way back.

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 crash.

Even with advanced restraints systems, properly restrain children 12 and under in a rear seating

position. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

Sitting improperly, out of position or with the seatback reclined too far can take weight off the seat cushion

and affect the decision of the passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in the event of a crash. Always sit upright against your seat back, with your feet on the floor.

Do not stow objects in the seatback map pocket or hang objects off a seatback if a child is in the front

passenger seat. Do not place objects under the front passenger seat or between the seat and the center console. Check the passenger airbag indicator lamp for proper airbag status. Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front passenger seat sensing system and increase the risk of serious injury.

Any alteration or modification to the front passenger seat may affect the performance of the front passenger

sensing system. This could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

This system works with sensors that are part of the front passenger seat and seatbelt to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the front passenger frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not.

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The front passenger sensing system uses a passenger airbag status indicator that illuminates indicating that the front passenger frontal airbag is either ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled).

The indicator lamp is located in the center stack of the instrument panel.

Note: The passenger airbag status indicator OFF and ON indicator lamps illuminate for a short period of time when the ignition is first turned on to confirm they are functional.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag when the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. Even with this technology, parents are strongly encouraged to always properly restrain children in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the passenger front airbag when the passenger seat is empty.

    When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag, the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the OFF lamp and stays lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled.
    If the child restraint has been installed and the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the ON lamp, then turn the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint following the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the front passenger's frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.

    When the front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger frontal airbag (may inflate), the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the ON lamp and remains illuminated.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger seat, but the airbag off indicator lamp is lit, it is possible that the person is not 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.
    Have the person 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 allows the system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
    If the indicator OFF lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.

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Occupant

Passenger airbag status indicator

Passenger airbag

Empty

OFF: Lit

Disabled

ON: Unlit

Child

OFF: Lit

Disabled

ON: Unlit

Adult

OFF: Unlit

Enabled

ON: Lit

After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on seatbelts, it is very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated occupant sits upright, leaning against the seatback, 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.

If you think that the status of the passenger airbag indicator lamp is incorrect, check for the following:

    Objects lodged underneath the seat.
    Objects between the seat cushion and the center console.
    Objects hanging off the seatback.
    Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket.
    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.

Make sure the front passenger sensing system is operating properly, See Crash Sensors

and Airbag Indicator (page 45).

The driver 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 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 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.

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    Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness lamp is no longer illuminated
    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.

If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center. See Getting the Services You Need (page 193).

If the side airbag has deployed, the airbag will not function again. The side airbag system (including the

seat) must be inspected as soon as possible. If the airbag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The side airbags are on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the front seats. The airbag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided to occupants in certain side impact crashes.

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 crash.

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.

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

seatback.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the seat airbag supplemental restraint systems, its fuses or the

seat cover on a vehicle containing seat airbags as you could be seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

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The system consists of the following:

    A label or embossed side panel indicating that side airbags are fitted to your vehicle.
    Side airbags inside the driver and front passenger seatbacks.
    Front passenger sensing system.

Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag

Indicator (page 45).

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The design and development of the side airbag 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.

A driver's knee airbag is located under the instrument panel. During a crash, the restraints control module may activate the driver's knee airbag based on crash severity and occupant conditions. Under certain crash and occupant conditions, the driver’s knee airbag may deploy but the driver’s front airbag may not activate. As with front and side airbags, it is important to be properly seated and restrained to reduce the risk of death or serious injury.

Make sure the knee airbag is operating properly. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator

(page 45).

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the headliner at the siderail that may come into

contact with a deploying curtain airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

Do not lean your head on the door. The curtain airbag could injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the supplementary restraint system or associated components.

Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

All occupants of your vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their seatbelts, even

when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. Failure to properly wear your seatbelt could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place objects in the deployment path of the airbag.

If a supplementary restraint system component has deployed, it will not function again. Have the system and associated components inspected as soon

as possible. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

The Safety Canopy deploys during significant side crashes or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopy is mounted to the roof side rail sheet metal, behind the headliner, above each row of seats. In certain sideways crashes or rollover events, the Safety Canopy will be activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy is designed to inflate between the side window area and occupants to further enhance protection provided in side impact crashes and rollover events.

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The system consists of the following:

    Safety Canopy curtain airbags above the trim panels over the front and rear side windows identified by a label or wording on the headliner or roof-pillar trim.
    A flexible headliner which opens above the side doors to allow air curtain deployment
    Crash sensors and monitoring system with a readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors

and Airbag Indicator (page 45).

Properly restrain children 12 years old and under in the rear seats. The Safety Canopy 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 design and development of the Safety Canopy 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).

Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of your vehicle (including hood, bumper system,

frame, front end body structure, tow hooks and hood pins) may affect the performance of the airbag system, increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify or add equipment to the front end of your vehicle.

Your vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which provide information to the restraints control module which deploys (activates) the front seatbelt pretensioners, driver airbag, passenger airbag, knee airbag(s), seat mounted side airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based on the type of crash, the restraints control module will deploy the appropriate safety devices.

The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. A warning indicator light in the instrument cluster indicates the readiness of the safety system. If this warning indicator light is not functioning and there is another fault within the system, the message cluster could display an airbag failure warning. You could hear five tones that repeat periodically until you repair the problem, the warning indicator light could illuminate or both. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not required.

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

The indicator light will not illuminate immediately after the ignition is turned on.

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    The indicator light either flashes or stays illuminated.
    You could hear five tones that periodically repeat until the problem is repaired.
    A message could appear in the information display.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a crash.

The seatbelt pretensioners and the airbag supplemental restraint system are designed to activate when your vehicle sustains frontal or sideways deceleration sufficient to cause the restraints control module to deploy a safety device or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.

The fact that the seatbelt pretensioners or airbags did not activate for both front seat occupants in a crash does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the restraints control module determined the crash conditions (for example, crash severity, belt usage) were not appropriate to activate these safety devices.

    The design of the front airbags is to activate only in frontal and near-frontal crashes (not rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts) unless the crash causes sufficient frontal deceleration.
    The seatbelt pretensioners are designed to activate in frontal,

near-frontal, side and rollover crashes.

    The design of the side airbags is to inflate in certain side crashes. Side airbags could activate in other types of crashes if the vehicle experiences sufficient sideways motion or deformation.
    The knee airbag(s) could deploy based on crash severity and occupant conditions.
    The design of the Safety Canopy is to inflate in certain side impact crashes and when a certain likelihood of rollover is detected by the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopy could activate in other types of crashes if the vehicle experiences sufficient sideways motion or deformation, or a certain likelihood of rollover.

Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Airbags must be disposed of by qualified personnel.

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