FORD 2003 Explorer Sport Trac v.3 - Manual (Page 92)

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second or third row seats. The Safety Canopy
௢ will not interfere
with children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.
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, above the first and second row seats. In certain lateral
collisions or rollover events, the Safety Canopy
௢ system will be activated
on both sides of the vehicle, 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
likelihood.
Several Safety Canopy
௢
system components get hot
after inflation. Do not touch them
after inflation.
Seating and Safety Restraints
92