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The following four steps show how the air bag
system works:
1.
Sensors in the vehicle will detect the degree
of severity of a frontal impact. When the
sensor system is activated, electric current
flows to the inflator and the system ignites
the gas generant.
2.
The propellant then rapidly burns in the
metal container. The rapid burning produces
nitrogen gas and small amounts of dust. The
nitrogen gas and dust are cooled and filtered
during inflation of the air bag.
3.
The inflating supplemental air bag splits
open the trim cover. The supplemental air
bag then rapidly unfolds and inflates in front
of the driver.
NOTE:
STEPS 1-3 TAKE PLACE IN A
FRACTION OF A SECOND.
4.
After inflation, the gas empties through holes
in the air bag. The air bag deflates at once.
The surface of the air bags and the vehicle
interior may be dusted with a powdery residue.
The powder is cornstarch or talcum powder,
which is used to lubricate the air bag as it
inflates, and sodium compounds such as sodium
carbonates (e.g., baking soda), and possibly a
very small amount of sodium hydroxide that
may be irritating to the skin and eyes, but is not
toxic.
Right after air bag inflation, you may notice
smoke (from the powder and dust) and smell
the burnt propellant. This is normal.
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R
WARNING
Air bag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
Air bags may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions, even though the vehicle may be badly
damaged. The fact that your air bag did not
inflate in such a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the air bag system.
Rather, it means the crash forces were not severe
enough to need an air bag to prevent serious
injury.
Inflated driver side air bag
32
R
WARNING
If the air bag is inflated, 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.
Disposal of supplemental air bag equipped
vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer, or refer to the procedures in the 1995
Ford Service Manual. Information on how to
order a service manual is available at an
authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. You
can also order a service manual using the order
form in the
Accessories
chapter of your Owner
Guide.
Service and information labels
Service and information labels are attached to
the sun visors, the headliner above the sun
visors (Canadian vehicles), and the radiator
support in the engine compartment.
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The label located on the back of the driver’s sun visor
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