FORD 2013 Flex v.3 - Manual (Page 61)

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. See the Instrument
Cluster chapter. 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 either flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the
ignition is turned on.
• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem or light is 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 crash.
The safety belt pretensioners, rear inflatable safety belts and the airbag
supplemental restraint system are designed to activate when the vehicle
sustains longitudinal or lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the
restraints control module to deploy a safety device or when a certain
likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
The fact that the safety belt pretensioners or airbags did not activate for
both front seat occupants in a crash does not mean that something is
wrong with the system. Rather, it means the restraints control module
determined the accident conditions (such as crash severity, belt usage)
were not appropriate to activate these safety devices.
• Front airbags are designed to activate only in frontal and near-frontal
crashes (not rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts) unless the crash
causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.
• The safety belt pretensioners and rear inflatable safety belts are
designed to activate in frontal, near-frontal and side crashes, and in
rollovers.
• Side airbags are designed to inflate in side-impact crashes, not
rollovers, rear impacts, frontal or near-frontal crashes, unless the crash
causes sufficient lateral deceleration.
• The Safety Canopy is designed to inflate in certain side-impact crashes
or rollover events, not in rear-impact, frontal or near-frontal crashes,
unless the crash causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover
likelihood.
60 Supplementary Restraints System
2013 Flex (471)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA (fus)