2005 Mercury Monterey Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 150

Seating and Safety Restraints 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. 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 design and development of the side air bag 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 air bags. 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 allow airbag deployment. • The same readiness airbag light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used for the front air bags. • Two crash sensors located under the outboard side of the front seats, attached to the floor. 150 2005 Monterey (mty) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA_English (fus)