Warning Chime Characteristics

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Lincoln MKX and 2007 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Each warning chime has unique characteristics that help to identify and differentiate each warning chime. The warning chimes use volume, chime frequency, length of time the chime sounds and the number of chime tones to identify which chime is sounding. The instrument cluster prioritizes the chimes according to a preset hierarchy programmed into the instrument cluster software. When more than one chime request is received by the instrument cluster, the most important chime sounds. If a lower priority chime is currently sounding, the higher priority request takes over and replaces the lower priority chime.

There are 2 basic chime types:

Repetitive
Single tone

The following table provides a summary of the chime characteristics including the chime priority.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CHIME CHARACTERISTICS/PRIORITY

Chime Name	Priority	Number of Chime Tones	Condition/Description
Safety belt	1	6 one-second duration tones.	On for as long as the safety belt is unbuckled and the instrument cluster receives the chime on command.
Air bag	2	5 one-second duration tones.	Consists of five sets of chimes that make up a chime cycle. Each chime set is five one-second on/one-second off chimes followed by a 5 second delay. There is a 30 minute delay between each cycle of chime sets.
Key-in-ignition	3	Repetitive, 0.5-second duration tones.	On for as long as the instrument cluster receives the chime on command (the key is in the ignition, the ignition switch is in the OFF or ACC position and the is door ajar).
Turn signal left on	4	Repetitive, 0.37-second duration tones.	On for as long as the RH or LH turn signal is on and the instrument cluster receives the chime on command once the vehicle has driven for 3.2 km (2.0 miles).
Door ajar	5	Single one-second duration tone.	This is a single tone chime that sounds when the key is in the RUN position and a door changes from closed to ajar.
Headlamps on	6	Repetitive, 0.25-second duration tones.	On for as long as the instrument cluster receives the chime on command (headlamps on, LH front door ajar and the ignition switch in the OFF or ACC positions).
Message center (if equipped)	7	Single one-second duration tone.	This is a single tone chime that sounds once per warning whenever the instrument cluster receives a new message commanding on the low brake fluid level, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), low fuel level or check brake system message center warnings.
Parking brake on	8	Repetitive, 90 one-second duration tones.	On for as long as the parking brake is applied and the instrument cluster receives the chime on command.
Belt-Minder® A/B	9	Belt-Minder® A: 6 one-second sequences of 0.5-second on/0.5-second off. Belt-Minder® B: 6 one-second sequences of 0.2-second on/0.2-second off then 0.3-second on/0.3-second off.	On for as long as the instrument cluster receives the Belt-Minder® chime request.