2003 Ford Crown Victoria Owner's Manual - Page 131

Seating and Safety Restraints The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected by the collision will be inflated. The air bag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided occupants in side impact collisions. The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates air bag inflation. The fact that the air bags did not inflate 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. Side air bags are designed to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration. Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation. If the side air bag has deployed, the air bag will not function again. The side air bag system (including the seat) must be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the vehicle service manual. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision. Determining if the system is operational The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness section in the Instrument cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the side air bag is not required. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: • The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either flash or stay lit. 131 2003 Crown Victoria (cro) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)