Lincoln 1997 Town Car Owner's Manual page 141

WARNING
If you are close to an inflating air bag,
it could seriously injure you. Position
your seat such that it is as far back
from the steering wheel as possible but
still allows you to properly control the
vehicle.
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
section in this owner guide.
WARNING
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.
WARNING
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 acitivation.
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
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