Lincoln 2013 MKZ, Owner'S Manual

Page: 54 / 474

CRASH SENSORS AND
AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING
Modifying or adding equipment
to the front end of the vehicle
(including frame, bumper, front end
body structure and tow hooks) may
affect the performance of the airbag
system, increasing the risk of injury.
Do not modify the front end of the
vehicle.
The vehicle has a collection of crash
and occupant sensors which provide
information to the Restraints Control
Module which deploys (activates) the
front safety belt pretensioners, driver
airbag, passenger airbag, knee
airbag(s), seat mounted side airbags,
and the side curtain airbags. Based on
the type of collision (frontal impact
or side impact), the restraints control
module will deploy the appropriate
safety devices.
The restraints control module also
monitors the readiness of the above
safety devices plus the crash and
occupant sensors. The readiness of
the safety system is indicated by a
warning indicator light in the
instrument cluster or by a backup tone
if the warning light is not working.
Routine maintenance of the airbag is
not required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
· The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
the ignition is turned on.
• The readiness light will either flash
or stay lit.
• A series of five beeps will be heard.
The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem, the
light or both are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at an
authorized dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
The safety belt pretensioners and the
front airbag supplemental restraint
system are designed to activate when
the vehicle sustains longitudinal
deceleration sufficient to cause the
restraints control module to deploy a
safety device.
The fact that the safety belt
pretensioners or front airbags did not
activate for both front seat occupants
in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system.
Rather, it means the restraints control
module determined the accident
conditions (crash severity, belt usage,
etc.) were not appropriate to activate
these safety devices.
51
Supplementary Restraints System