1997 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 123

Children and Air Bags NOTE: For additional important safety information on the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the entire Safety Restraints chapter in this owner guide. RWARNING Children should always wear their safety belts. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision. RWARNING Rear-facing child seats and infant carriers should never be placed in the front seats. How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System Work? The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System is designed to activate when the vehicle is in a collision similar to hitting a fixed barrier head on at 8-14 mph (13-23 km/h). 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. If the vehicle is in a moderate or severe frontal collision, the system is activated and the air bags inflate rapidly. After the air bag inflates, it will quickly deflate. After the air bag deployment, you may notice a smoke-like, powdery residue or smell the burnt propellant. This is normal. The residue may consist of cornstarch or talcum powder (which is used to lubricate the air bag) 121