Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
Buckles, Four-Door:
Buckles, Two-Door:
Retractors And Tongues, Four-Door:
Retractors And Tongues, Two-Door:
WARNING: ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING RETRACTORS, BUCKLES, FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES (SLIDE BAR), SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTERS (IF SO EQUIPPED) CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHER ATTACHMENTS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. ALL BELT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE REPLACED UNLESS A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FINDS THAT THE ASSEMBLIES SHOW NO DAMAGE AND OPERATE PROPERLY. BELT ASSEMBLIES NOT IN USE DURING A COLLISION SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF EITHER DAMAGE OR IMPROPER OPERATION IS NOTED.
When replacing safety belt buckle or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts Catalog.
The outboard safety belt for the front and rear seats is a continuous-loop three-point system. The combination lap and shoulder belt (continuous-loop) uses a common sliding tongue and retractor.
The shoulder harness retractor is designed to let the webbing move freely in or out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
NOTE: When replacing a dual locking mode retractor, the retractor should be checked to make sure it is not in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode after installation in the stowed position.
All outboard continuous-loop, three-point retractor systems, except the driver position, are equipped with the dual locking mode system.
The Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering, or an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The ELR mode helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passengers. The ELR mode is continuously in operation at all seating positions.
The ALR portion of this system does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position or when a tight belt fit is desired. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move in or out of the retractor. The ALR mode is automatically engaged when the webbing is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made, indicating that the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of the webbing is retracted back onto the spool.
WARNING: AFTER ANY VEHICLE COLLISION, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM AT ALL OUTBOARD SEATING POSITIONS (EXCEPT DRIVER, WHICH HAS NO "AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR" FEATURE) MUST BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN TO VERIFY THAT THE "AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR" FEATURE FOR CHILD SEATS IS STILL FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, IN ADDITION TO OTHER CHECKS FOR PROPER SAFETY BELT SYSTEM FUNCTION. A BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED IF THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY'S "AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR" FEATURE OR ANY OTHER SAFETY BELT FUNCTION IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY WHEN CHECKED ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURES IN THE WORKSHOP MANUAL. FAILURE TO REPLACE THE BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN COLLISIONS.
This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management feature at the front seating positions to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
This safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on occupant's chest.
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
In certain cases, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. About 20 cm (8 in) can be added to the belt length by using a safety belt extension. Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer parts department. Safety belt extensions are only available with black webbing.
There are two extension assemblies available, one for the front seating positions and one for the rear seating positions and they are not interchangeable.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if safety belt is too short for you when fully extended. Do not use extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps
Some manufacturers make child safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of the child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap.
Attach a tether strap anchor bracket to the rear floor by using a tether anchor kit, available at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership.
Carefully read and follow the instructions provided with the kit for installation of the child tether strap anchor.
Safety Belt Warning Indicator and Chime
The warning indicator and chime are reminders to fasten the safety belt. The following conditions will take place:
^ If the safety belt is not buckled before the ignition is turned to the ON position, the chime will turn on for four to eight seconds and the indicator will come on for one to two minutes.
^ If the safety belt is buckled while the indicator is on and the chime is sounding, both the indicator and chime will turn off.
^ If the safety belt is buckled before the ignition is turned to the ON position, neither the indicator nor the chime will turn on.
Belt Minder (if equipped)
The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the driver that the driver's safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.