FORD 2004 Freestar v.2 - Manual (Page 153)

The Safety Canopy
௢ system is designed to activate when the vehicle
sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the side crash sensor to
close an electrical circuit that initiates 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, along the entire side of the vehicle. In certain lateral collisions
or rollover events, the Safety Canopy
௢ system will be activated,
regardless of which seats are occupied. In certain rollover events, the
Safety Canopy
௢ on both sides of the vehicle will be inflated, regardless
of which seats are occupied. 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.
Several Safety Canopy
௢ system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.
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) must be inspected
and serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual. If
the Safety Canopy
௢ is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
Seating and Safety Restraints
152