FORD 2013 F-150 v.3 - Manual (Page 52)

The airbags are a supplemental restraint system and are designed to
work with the safety belts to help protect the driver and right front
passenger from certain upper body injuries. Airbags do not inflate slowly;
there is a risk of injury from a deploying airbag.
Note: You will hear a loud bang and see a cloud of harmless powdery
residue if an airbag deploys. This is normal.
The airbags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After airbag
deployment, it is normal to notice a smoke-like, powdery residue or smell
the burnt propellant. This may consist of cornstarch, talcum powder (to
lubricate the bag) or sodium compounds (for example, baking soda) that
result from the combustion process that inflates the airbag. Small amounts of
sodium hydroxide may be present which may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic. While the system is designed to help reduce
serious injuries, contact with a deploying airbag may also cause abrasions or
swelling. Temporary hearing loss is also a possibility as a result of the noise
associated with a deploying airbag. Because airbags must inflate rapidly and
with considerable force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries, such as
fractures, facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants
who are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of airbag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the airbag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Routine maintenance of the airbags is not required.
SOS POST-CRASH ALERT SYSTEM™
The system flashes the turn signal lamps and sounds the horn
(intermittently) in the event of a serious impact that deploys an airbag
equipped on your vehicle, such as front, side, side curtain or Safety
Canopy®.
The horn and lamps will turn off when:
• the hazard control button is pressed
• the panic button (if equipped) is pressed on the remote entry
transmitter, or
• your vehicle runs out of power.
Supplementary Restraints System 51
2013 F-150 (f12)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, February 2013
USA (fus)