2005 Ford Five Hundred Owner's Manual - Page 114

Seating and Safety Restraints When the front passenger seat is occupied and the sensing system has turned off the passenger's frontal airbag, the passenger airbag off or pass airbag off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is off. When the front passenger seat is not occupied (empty seat) or in the event that the front passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate), the indicator light will be unlit. The pass airbag off indicator light is located above the glove box on the instrument panel. To confirm the indicator light is functional, it will momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the ON position. The front passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the front passenger's frontal airbag 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 airbag 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 airbag to be enabled, the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit to remind you that the airbag is enabled (may inflate). If a person of adult-size is sitting in the front passenger's seat, but the passenger airbag off or pass airbag off indicator is lit, it is possible 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, 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 enable the passenger's airbag. If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the occupant should be advised to ride in the rear 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. 114 2005 Five Hundred (500) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA (fus)