Ford Escape Hybrid (2012 year). Manual — part 38

WARNING: Several airbag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

WARNING: If the side
airbag has deployed, the

airbag will not function again.
The side airbag system
(including the seat) must be
inspected and serviced by an
authorized dealer. If the airbag
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 Warning lights and
chimes in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the
side airbag 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 airbag system) will either

flash or stay lit.

• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is

turned on.

• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event of a collision.

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154

Safety Canopy

姞 System

WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment

on or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying Safety
Canopy

威. Failure to follow these

instructions may increase the risk
of personal injury in the event of a
collision.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The Safety
Canopy

威 could injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
Safety Canopy

威 System, its fuses, the A, B, or C pillar trim, or

the headliner on a vehicle containing a Safety Canopy

威. Contact your

authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their safety belts even when an airbag SRS

and Safety Canopy

威 System is provided.

WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place
objects in the deployment path of the inflatable Safety Canopy

威.

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155

How does the Safety Canopy

姞 System work?

The design and development of the
Safety Canopy system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags (including the Safety
Canopy

威).

The Safety Canopy system consists
of the following:
• An inflatable curtain with a gas

generator concealed behind the
headliner and above the doors
(one on each side of vehicle).

• A headliner designed to flex open

above the side doors to allow Safety Canopy deployment.

• The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used

for the front airbags.

• Two crash sensors mounted at lower B-Pillar (one on each side).
• Two crash sensors located at the C-pillar behind the rear doors (one

on each side).

• Rollover sensor in the restraints control module (RCM).
The Safety Canopy system, in combination with safety belts, can help
reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact
collision or rollover event.

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second or third row seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere with
children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.

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156

The Safety Canopy system is designed to activate when the vehicle
sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the RCM to initiate Safety
Canopy inflation or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is
detected by the rollover sensor.

The Safety Canopy is mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal, behind the
headliner, above the first and second row seats. 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 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.

WARNING: Several Safety
Canopy system components

get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.

WARNING: If the Safety Canopy system has deployed, the
Safety Canopy will not function again unless replaced. The

Safety Canopy system (including the A, B, C, and D pillar trim and
headliner) must be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer. If
the Safety Canopy is not replaced, it will not function again, which will
increase the risk of injury in a future collision.

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157