2002 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 6th Printing - Page 170
2002 Ford Explorer Manual
Page 170 highlights
Seating and safety restraints close an electrical circuit that initiates Safety Canopy inflation 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 the first and second row seats. In certain lateral collisions or rollover events, the Safety Canopy system 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 collisions and rollover events. The fact that the Safety Canopy system did not activate in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were not of the type sufficient to cause activation. The Safety Canopy is designed to inflate in certain side impact collisions or rollover events, not in rear impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover likelihood. Several Safety Canopy system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation. If the Safety Canopy system has deployed, the Safety Canopy will not function again. The Safety Canopy system (including the A, B and C pillar trim) must be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the vehicle service manual. If the Safety Canopy is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision. 170