Ford Explorer Quiz
Supplemental Restraint System

Safety Canopy™

In this manual: Supplemental Restraint System
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
~2min read

The safety canopy deploys during certain severe side collisions or when the rollover sensor determines that a rollover is likely. The safety canopy is attached to the sheet metal of the roof side rails, behind the headliner, above each row of seats. In certain side collisions or rollovers, the safety canopy may be deployed regardless of which seats are occupied. The safety canopy is designed to inflate between the side window area and the occupants for additional protection in a side impact and rollover.

The system consists of the following:

  • Inflatable safety curtains above the trim panels of the front and rear side windows, identified by a label or marking on the headliner or roof pillar trim.
  • Flexible headliner that opens above the side doors to allow the curtain airbag to deploy.
  • Impact sensors and airbag readiness monitoring system with indicator. Refer to Impact Sensors and Airbag Indicator.

Always properly restrain children up to 12 years of age in the rear seats. The safety canopy will not interfere with children secured in a properly installed child seat or booster seat, because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the doors along the side window opening.

The design and development of the safety canopy included recommended testing procedures developed by a group of automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working Group. These recommended test procedures help reduce the risk of injury associated with side airbag deployment (including the safety canopy).

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