1996 Lincoln Continental Owner's Manual - Page 23

The Importance of Being Properly Seated In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremely fast to help provide additional protection for you. In order to do this, the air bag must inflate with considerable force. If you are not seated in a normal riding position with your back against the seatback, the air bag may not protect you properly and could possibly hurt you as it inflates. /!\ WARNING If a passenger is not properly seated and restrained, an inflating air bag could cause serious injury. In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or center armrests (if so equipped), or center console (if so equipped). Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg.) should use child or infant seats. Forward facing child seats must have the passenger seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible. Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag. Front passengers, especially children and small adults, should never sit on the edge of the seat, stand near the glove compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over with their faces near the glove compartment when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit with their backs against the seatback and use the safety belts. 19