How Does The Side Air Curtain System Work? - Lincoln 2007 MKZ Owner's Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints

How does the side air curtain system work?

The design and development of the
side air curtain 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 side air
curtain systems).
The side air curtain system consists
of the following:
• An inflatable nylon curtain with a
gas generator concealed behind
the headliner and above the
doors.
• The headliner will flex to open
above the side doors to allow air curtain deployment.
• The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front airbags.
• Two crash sensors located under the outboard side of the front seats,
attached near the floor.
• Two crash sensors located at the base of the "C" pillars above the
wheel house.
Side air curtains and side airbags, in combination with safety belts, can
help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side
impact collision.
The side air curtains are mounted to the sheet metal above the first and
second row seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air curtain and
seat-mounted side airbag on the side affected by the collision will be
inflated, except that the passenger sensing system will deactivate the
passenger seat-mounted side airbag if it detects an empty unbuckled
passenger seat. The air curtain was designed to inflate between the side
window area and occupant to further enhance the head protection
provided to occupants in side impact collisions. The seat-mounted side
airbag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant to
further enhance the protection provided occupants in side impact
collisions.
134
2007 Zephyr (378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)