2005 Mercury Sable Owner's Manual - Page 114

Seating and Safety Restraints 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. The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the passenger airbag is disabled, the pass airbag off light may or may not be illuminated according to the table below. Objects Pass Airbag Off Indicator Light Unlit Unlit Passenger Airbag Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled Empty seat Small (i.e. 3 ring binder, small purse, bottled water) Medium (i.e. heavy briefcase, Lit fully packed luggage) Empty seat, Small or medium Lit object with safety belt buckled 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. The front passenger airbag is not designed to offer protection to an occupant in the center seating position. 114 REVIEW COPY 2005 Sable (sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002), Market: USA_English (fus)